An Ayrshire business is set to provide 62 new fire engines in a $31 million deal with Iraq to upgrade its firefighting fleet.
Emergency One, based in Cumnock, has won the contract to supply half the vehicles for Iraq’s Civil Defence Directorate as the country makes its biggest investment in its emergency services.
Founded in 1989, Emergency One has established itself as a trusted name in the firefighting industry and supplies fire and rescue vehicles to more than 90 per cent of the fire and rescue services in the UK.
As part of the deal, 62 Ayrshire-made firefighting MAN TGM vehicles – each capable of carrying up to 6,500 litres of water and 500 litres of foam – will help Iraqi firefighters with the challenges they face especially in the summer when fires can devastate communities.
The deal allows Emergency One – the largest employer in Cumnock – to grow its international presence and further strengthen its impact in the Middle East.
Steven Bell, managing director at Emergency One, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be part of this significant project to modernise Iraq’s fire-fighting capabilities.
“The partnership with Iraq’s Ministry of Interior, supported by UK Export Finance, highlights the strength of British engineering and our commitment to delivering world-class fire and rescue vehicles.
“It’s an honour to contribute to the safety and resilience of communities across Iraq, and we look forward to continuing our support as part of this important collaboration.”
Finance for the deal came in the form of a loan from UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK Government’s export credit agency, to Iraq’s Ministry of Interior.
J.P. Morgan acted as both Sole Mandated Lead Arranger and agent bank for this loan.
In 2023-24, UKEF supported businesses in Scotland with £45 million in new government financing to support contracts overseas.
Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said: “This UK Government funding is bringing significant business to Ayrshire-based Emergency One, a leading supplier of fire and rescue vehicles. Deals like this, organised through the hard work of UKEF, are vital to boost our home-grown industries, support jobs and encourage growth for the benefit of the whole UK.
“I wish the company every success as they complete this contract that will make very important improvements to Iraq’s emergency services.”
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