Whitfield Secures Federal Contract for Princeton Manufacturer | News | Congressman Ed Whitfield

News | Congressman Ed Whitfield | United States Representative

Whitfield Secures Federal Contract for Princeton Manufacturer May 17, 2007 U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield secured authorization for an additional $2.9 million above the President's request for a government contract for Fontaine Trailer Military Products (FTMP), a manufacturing company located in Princeton, Kentucky. Whitfield inserted language into the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes the Department of Defense's annual budget, allowing FTMP to manufacture and assemble Army National Guard trailer refurbishment kits.

"FTMP has done a great job in providing trailers to the military in the past, so it is only fitting that they will provide the refurbishing kits as well," said Whitfield. "The refurbishing kits will provide an essential upgrade to the military and I am proud that residents in western Kentucky are able to provide the technology to the men and women serving our country."

The refurbishment kits are designed to upgrade the technology of the National Guard's 22.5-ton semitrailers. These semitrailers are used to haul soldier's cargo to wherever the troops are deployed. The kits will provide new encased electrical wiring, new suspension and axel systems, ABS brakes, new wheels and radial tires, and a new air system as well as several other additions to improve the mobility of the trailers.

"With the average semitrailer being over 20 years old it is necessary to not only maintain, but also to improve, the older semitrailer fleet, so they can continue providing support to our troops," continued Whitfield. "This new technology will save the government money and reduce the maintenance burden on our soldiers by 75%."

The president's budget requested $6.3 million for this project. Whitfield requested the contract be given to FTMP and obtained an additional $2.9 million to bring the total to $9.2 million. The project will be funded through the Department of Defense's appropriations bill, which will be considered by the House of Representatives later this summer.

FTMP has been in operation since 1998, and employs 105 Kentuckians at the 284,000 square-foot Princeton facility. Currently, this facility produces a new Drop Deck Bulk Trailer for the military, as well as new equipment to rebuild and refurbish the military's existing fleet of trailers with the newest technology. To date, FTMP has manufactured over 3,000 semitrailers, as well as over 400 refurbishment units, for the United States military.

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