How Leigh's Paints help to keep the army on the move

Citation

(1999), "How Leigh's Paints help to keep the army on the move", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 28 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.1999.12928caf.005

How Leigh's Paints help to keep the army on the move

How Leigh's Paints help to keep the army on the move

Keywords Corrosion prevention, Leigh, Paints, Steel

Mexeflotes are pontoon-like structures which are used by the British Army to successfully overcome the most challenging logistical problems.

The steel structures are strong enough to take the weight of a Challenger tank and have been pressed into service in theatres of operation all over the world, including Bosnia and the Falklands.

Mexeflotes have flexibility which makes them ideal to fulfil a number of vital operational roles in both military and civilian situations ­ such as forming bridges, breakwaters, mooring and beach landing equipment. They can also be fitted with large outboard motors in order to be utilised as giant tugs for the transport of men and supplies by water to locations inaccessible by road transport.

Regular maintenance of the equipment which is used in some of the toughest and most hostile environments is a priority for the Army Technical Support Agency which operates the Mexeflotes, and this work is carried out for the Ministry of Defence by Cosens Engineering Limited, of Portland, Dorset.

In order to provide the Mexeflotes with the best possible protection against punishing wear and tear, as well as environmental and climatic deterioration, the maintenance programme includes the application of paint designed by Leigh's, one of the first paint companies to obtain BS5750 assurance for firms of assessed capability and have MoD AQAP4 quality approvals.

After the Mexeflotes are coated with zinc metal spray, they are provided with the most effective protective covering by the application of a multi-coat high performance marine system formulated by Leigh's.

Tony Rogers, Office in Charge, Maritime and Railways Group of the Army Technical Support Agency, said: "We have found that the protective by Leigh's are quite simply the best for structures like Mexeflotes which have to withstand a rugged working environment."

For further details contact W & J Leigh & Co., Tower Works, Kestor Street, Bolton BL2 2AL.