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Local Companies Land LAV III Contracts

Local workers will have a hand in protecting Canadian soldiers from threats overseas. Three contracts were announced today worth millions of dollars for companies that will be supplying components to General Dynamics Land Systems in their upgrade of Canada's Light Armoured Vehicles (LAV III - in photo on right). Oxford MP Dave MacKenzie helped make the announcement today. "I think this is one of those things that again hilight the skills and work ethic in Oxford County that allow our local industries to compete across the country. When General Dynamics Land Systems comes to Oxford and hands out these kinds of contracts, it's because it's a quality job." Cornell Welding won a $3.2-million dollar contract, Harvan Engineering got a $2.1-million contract, and J/E Bearing and Machining out of Tillsonburg has a $4.35-million contract to supply components to the LAV upgrades. It's part of a $1.1-Billion overhaul of Canada's 550 LAV III's to make the vehicles more agile, safer and more durable. Cornell President Jerry Cornell says it's a great source of pride for his workers. "They go onto YouTube and do Google searches to see our components on the vehicles. Our guys take great pride in the fact that we're supplying military components for our Canadian military." The contracts are also a steady source of work for the local companies that will see them building components through 2015.

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