Cameroon’s Bastion APCs now in action

“The Cameroonian Rapid Intervention Battalions (BIR) are now fielding Mack Defense Bastion armoured personnel carriers (APCs), Jane’s confirmed during a visit to the BIR base at Salak, the headquarters of Operation Alpha, the elite force’s deployment in the Far North Region. A BIR Bastion in Cameroon’s Far North Region in April.” (more…)

Mack Defense Awarded Contract to Provide Heavy Dump Trucks to the U.S. Army

Mack Defense Awarded Contract to Provide Heavy Dump Trucks to the U.S. Army

ALLENTOWN, PA (June 5, 2018) – The U.S. Department of Defense announced it awarded Mack Defense a firm-fixed-price $296.4 million contract with the U.S. Army. As part of the contract, Mack Defense will deliver Mack Granite^® armored and armor-capable dump trucks to the Army, with an estimated completion date of May 18, 2025.

“This contract is a great opportunity for Mack Defense to support the Army’s work at home and abroad,” said David Hartzell, president of Mack Defense. “We are proud to be chosen and look forward to delivering reliable Mack vehicles that meet and exceed their high standards.” (more…)

Mack Defense wins $296 million Army contract; trucks to be built in the Lehigh Valley

Mack Defense LLC of Upper Macungie Township has landed one its largest contracts in recent memory, a deal that has the potential to keep the Mack Trucks’ subsidiary busy for the next seven years.

The contract, valued at up to $296.4 million and officially awarded to Mack Defense on Tuesday, calls for the company to provide 20-ton dump trucks to the U.S. Army through May 2025.

Michael Clow, spokesman for the U.S. Army Program Executive Office in Warren, Mich., confirmed Mack is the sole recipient of the award, which includes five test trucks followed by quantities that will be determined based on available funding.

While defense budgets can be unpredictable, the contract allows for a maximum of 683 armor-capable or armored heavy dump trucks, according to the original solicitation the Army issued about a year ago. The final number of delivered trucks, however, could be lower. The trucks will be assigned to Army units across the globe. (more…)

Armoured MSVS will enable faster battlefield logistic support

Mack Defense was recently profiled in Canadian Army Today, a leading Canadian military publication.

From Canadian Army Today – “Another fleet of new trucks is on the road to serve with the Canadian Army. The new Standard Military Pattern (SMP) truck is a four axle, 9.5 tonne capacity vehicle, intended mostly for use with the Regular Force.

Mack Defense lands contract with DLA

Mack Defense LLC of Upper Macungie Township has landed a contract that will bring some work through the Lehigh Valley over the next five years.

Mack on Tuesday announced it was recently awarded a U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) contract, in which the company will supply trucks and tractors — of various sizes and applications — to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies through 2023.

Robert Gordon, senior director of business development for Mack Defense, said the company is one of several recipients in the contract, which has a maximum value of $82.4 million.

Mack’s portion of the work will roll through the Lehigh Valley, as all Mack trucks for the North American market and export are assembled at the company’s 1-million-square-foot plant in Lower Macungie Township that employs about 2,400 people. (more…)

Mack Defense earns ISO Certification

ALLENTOWN, PA (April 9, 2018) – Mack Defense recently earned its Environmental Management System (ISO 14001:2015) and Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015) certifications.

ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, promotes global standardization for specifications and requirements for materials, products, procedures, formats, information and quality management. Certification under ISO standards is an assurance that the ISO-required management of processes and documentation is in place.

“ISO certification ensures the management of environment risks, and the continual improvement of the quality of the products and processes we develop to help exceed our customers’ expectations,” said Randy Blose, Mack Defense senior manager of Purchasing, Quality and lead for the ISO certification. “Our entire organization was engaged and focused on revising and creating processes, procedures and preparing for the audits during the yearlong project. (more…)

Mack Defense delivers MSVS to Canadian Army

An article published in Canadian Army Today recently profiled the new Canadian Medium Support Vehicle Systems (MSVS) expected to serve alongside regular forces of the Canadian military. The new vehicle is a four-axle 9.5 tonne capacity vehicle.  (more…)

Milestone 100th Military Trailer Built at Arne’s Welding in Winnipeg

WINNIPEG, Feb. 22, 2018 /CNW/ – Mack Defense is pleased to announce the completion of the 100^th Load Handling System (LHS) Trailer, as part of the Canadian Army’s MSVS – SMP Program. These trailers are being completed at Arne’s Welding Ltd.’s facility in Winnipeg, under sub-contract to Link Suspensions Canada, who designed and developed the trailer, specifically for Mack Defense and the MSVS program. The contract calls for the production of 318 trailers between now and March of next year. There is also an on-going commitment to provide spare parts for a further 15 years, as part of the Canadian Army’s long-term plan to completely modernize its fleet of logistics trucks.

Alain Gautier, Vice President Canadian Programs at Mack Defense was on hand for the event and commented that, “It has been a rewarding experience to be able to achieve this milestone with Link Suspensions and Arne’s and provide this great capability to our customer as part of our Program.”

(more…)

David C. Hartzell appointed President and CEO of Mack Defense

Effective January 1, 2018, the Board of Mack Defense appointed David C. Hartzell, Sr. as President of Mack Defense, a position he has filled on an interim basis since September. As Mack Defense is a subsidiary of Mack Trucks, Inc., David will coordinate with Govi Kannan, who will provide administrative support and ensure the availability of Mack products to Mack Defense customers.

David joined Mack Defense as Director of Engineering in 2015, and, before becoming interim President, served as Senior Director of Product Development, Purchasing and Projects. Prior to that, he spent 23 years with Mack and brings a wealth of technical and operational experience that will help facilitate the realignment of Mack Defense with Mack Trucks following its separation from Volvo’s Governmental Sales Division. (more…)

Mack Defense earned a top 10 finish at the Army 10 Miler this year

Team Mack Defense earned a top 10 finish at the Army 10 Miler in 2016.

From Army 10 Miler: “Started in 1985, the Army Ten-Miler (ATM) takes place each October in Washington, D.C. to promote the Army, build esprit de corps, support Army fitness goals, and enhance community relations. All race proceeds benefit Soldier MWR programs.” (more…)