A BRIDPORT company has won two contracts from the Dutch armed forces to supply cargo nets for helicopters.

Following a tender process, AmSafe Bridport has been awarded contracts to develop and supply internal cargo restraints nets for the Netherlands Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) for its NH90 and Chinook helicopters.

AmSafe hopes to use its knowledge in engineering textile restraints in manufacturing the products. The Netherlands DMO already uses a number of AmSafe products - both cargo pallet nets and HUSLE (Helicopter Under Slung Load Equipment) nets.

The company claims it was the firm's knowledge of cargo restraint and textiles that allowed them to propose solutions to the new demands the Netherlands DMO have for cargo restraint within their helicopters.

Joe Ashton, cargo business unit manager for AmSafe Bridport, said: “Helicopter internal restraint of cargo is a vital element of airworthiness.

"The cargo’s securement is vital to weight and balance and we are delighted to be working with the Netherlands DMO to ensure they have the right products to accomplish this safety critical aspect for both their NH90 and Chinook fleet of helicopter.”

The contracts include the design, development and supply of one net design for the NH90 and three net designs for the Chinook. The NH90 net is a throw-over net, and the Chinook nets are a throw-over net and two three-dimensional pre-formed nets that fit over a pallet or load assembly. All four nets can be fixed to the floor attachment points within the helicopters.

The Netherlands DMO and AmSafe Bridport are undertaking the contracts over the coming months with delivery of the nets expected before the end of the year.

The company is also celebrating after it received a 2015 Boeing performance excellence award. The award, issued annually, recognises suppliers who have achieved a superior performance throughout the year.

AmSafe Bridport maintained a gold performance rating across the 12-month period, from October 2014 to September 2015.

AmSafe Bridport is one of only 107 suppliers to receive the gold level of recognition. In total, Boeing recognised 530 suppliers, all achieving either a gold or silver award.

For more information on Amsafe Bridport, please visit amsafebridport.com.