Morgan AM&T Subsidiary Develops Military Vehicle Armor

Community leaders and management of Morgan AM&T gathered at the company’s Coudersport plant — formerly Pure Carbon Company — recently to hear about a promising new product line. Depending on the company’s ability to secure military contracts in the U.S. and Great Britain, its newest lines of vehicle and body armor could fuel an expansion of the Coudersport plant, which manufactures carbon-based seals and other items for the automobile and appliance industries while producing a growing line of armor products.

Donald Bray, business director for Morgan subsidiary NP Aerospace, told the group his company’s product has advantages over competitors. Much of the focus has been on development of body and vehicle armor technology that is lighter, yet stronger, than metal-based components. Morgan AM&T in Coudersport has the experience and the equipment to manufacture some of these products and, depending on NP’s marketing success, the local plant could be called upon to step up production, resulting in more jobs, Bray said.

Corporate officials led a tour of the plant and displayed a typical military vehicle equipped with the molded composite crew compartment the company can manufacture for ballistic and blast protection. It’s shown here adjacent to the squad car that American Legion Post 192 of Coudersport brought to the plant to emphasize the difference between the two vehicles.

Dr.  Steve Coppella, NP Aerospace’s director of product engineering and applications, is optimistic: “When our products gain traction in the U.S. with growing sales, the Coudersport facility will be immediately affected from the demand for silicon carbide components needed for these advanced armor designs. These ceramic components are the most critical component to the armor system. There are also many opportunities for the Coudersport facility to diversify its product portfolio depending on the type of armor sales and timing.”

Dr. Coppella added, “We greatly appreciate the work ethic, flexibility and ‘refuse to lose’ attitude of our workforce and the support of the local community. We intend on leveraging this talent to support our current and future growth initiatives.”

Among those attending was Army National Guard soldier Kyle Franke of Coudersport, a recent Purple Heart recipient who was just weeks removed from a harrowing battle zone experience in Afghanistan. The 19-year-old soldier, who is now back at Fort Campbell, Ky., to continue recovering from his wounds, was living testimony to the effectiveness of the types of products Morgan is manufacturing.

Also attending were Potter County Commissioners Doug Morley, Paul Heimel and Susan Kefover, Coudersport Mayor Wick Furman, and Pennsylvania CareerLink Administrator Terry Cole.