NSW family-owned company SMETEC Services has achieved German Government qualification to cut armour steel for Rheinmetall’s Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles as part of preparations to manufacture the vehicle in Australia.
SMETEC has worked with Rheinmetall Defence Australia and Wollongong-based Bisalloy Steels to achieve the standards required of under any company that delivers a product or service into the Rheinmetall supply chain. German Government qualification is required as the Boxer is in service with armed forces around the world.
Owned by Tim and Louise Smeets and located on the NSW South Coast, SMETEC specialises in precision processing of exotic materials and has built a strong relationship with Bisalloy by offering specialised cutting and processing of their Bisalloy Armour grades.
SMETEC utilises waterjet cutting technologies to ensure material is processed to uphold Bisallow's high specifications.
During the extensive trials and testing, SMETEC’s operations were assessed by officials from the German Bundeswehr and Rheinmetall delegates from Germany and Australia. The process involved evaluation of various procedures and processes to ensure SMETEC was able to carry out and continue to ensure stringent standards and protocols are met.
SMETEC is the first Australian company to achieve the approval from the German Army – known as Bundeswehr WTD91 qualified - for cutting of armour grade steel to the stringent specifications of the German Army’s TL2350-0000 standards.
“The teams from Rheinmetall and Bundeswehr have made the process as smooth as possible with great guidance and support as well as continued support from Bisalloy," Tim Smeets said.
“With support from multi-national defence prime contractors such as Rheinmetall, it allows small business in Australia to continue to grow and support our national needs as well as ability to expand into global supply chains," Louise Smeets said.
“SMETEC’s achievement reflects the growing opportunities for highly capable Australian SMEs through existing local industry networks," Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director Gary Stewart said. "The company is to be congratulated for achieving a world class manufacturing capability that has been recognised by the German Government and will ensure Australian soldiers are protected in combat by Australian steel."