New multi-million contract for gas-mask maker
CADILLAC -- A Northern Michigan manufacturer has landed a multi-million dollar contract with the Department of Defense, and that means more workers on the line.
Avon Protection Systems in Cadillac is one of the world's largest gas-mask makers. The $12.5 million deal will require the plant to build 400,000 filters for its M-50 masks. The deal created about 40 new jobs.
Avon already has a contract to produce 500,000 respirators for all the U.S. armed services at the cost of $112 million. That contract is up in a couple years.
Officials with Avon Protection Systems also announced plans to expand in North America. A new research and development facility in Maryland opened Tuesday, but production will remain in here in Northern Michigan.
