Projects for Protection

Mifram, based in Kiriat Bialik, is one of Israel's leading multi-discipline firms successfully developing industrial, civil engineering and security projects and products. Today innovations from its Security division can be found in countries across the world. Abigail Saltmarsh reports.

Over the 45 years of its existence, Mifram has developed to become one of Israel's leading multi-discipline firms. The group successfully develops industrial, civil engineering projects and security projects, serving a wide range of industries and different customers both at home and across the world.

Today, one of the group's main divisions focuses on security. Designing and supplying products for use on military sites and in hostile and conflict zones, Mifram's name has come to stand for innovation and in many markets it has become the sole supplier.

Eran Sela is vice president of international marketing and business development for the group's Security division. He explains that the group has had an extensive involvement in Israel's industrialisation and development and has grown to become a key player in the segments it serves. "Mifram was founded back in 1962 by a talented engineer, "metal master" called Arie Klein. Today it is still owned by his three sons," he says. "Back in the 1960s, the group's core business was heavy metal processing. Now, however, there are three main divisions."

Mifram's headquarters are located in northern Israel, in Kiriat Bialik. The group employs some 250 people in-house but has a further 100 who are employed full-time, but as out-workers. The Automotive division of Mifram focuses on automotive, agricultural and construction equipment machinery agencies. It represents some 40 per cent of the group's business and under its name, the group acts as a representative for a number of key names in Israel. These include John Deere, Hyundai and Daewoo, Indian pick-up truck company Tata and others.

"The second business unit focuses on civil engineering and construction projects," says Eran Sela. "It also takes on disaster relief projects as well as environmental projects. Mifram operates waste management facilities and recycling plants, and takes on turnkey projects, including the relocation of industry and production sites, as well as housing. Again this makes up some 40 per cent of the group's overall business."

The 3rd division, the security division, handles both design and manufacturing of security related products and manages projects related to military/security organizations. Some of the projects require the use of the Miframs' civil engineering projects division, explains Eran Sela.

An example for this is the "roofing protection against mortar and light missiles threats aimed towards both the Gazza strip area in the south and towards the Lebanese front in the north.

These include a special type of roofing that we have developed to protect buildings from rocket attack." Solutions for the protection of buildings in hostile zones include those made of concrete, he goes on. But Mifram recognized this was not always suitable - and developed an innovative alternative"

The problem is that not all buildings can carry the weight of concrete," he explains. "We developed a system called Sky Guard, which does not put weight on the existing walls and foundations."

The Sky Guard protective systems provide modular solutions to a range of ballistic threats towards civilian housing, schools, federal buildings, military bases and critical infrastructure facilities. The systems are quick and easy to install and can be made up of varying numbers of layers, depending on threat levels.

We have also lately produced an inner room solution that could be easily installed "in-house" to protect a given space or room at a very low cost. Again this system the "Rav-Mamad" is an ideal solution for apartments and houses lacking a "protective space". This solution does not require engineering certifications or licenses.

Innovations in dry storage

Another area in which Mifram has made a name for itself is in 'dry storage'. Again, its systems in this area are beginning to be used across the world as well as in Israel. The Mifram dry storage building was designed to store both military and commercial equipment and vehicles. Its aim was to save on maintenance and reduce energy costs during storage and keeping all the gear and equipment in a "ready to be used" position.

The system offers total protection against corrosion, equipment degradation and moisture induced function failure radically reducing maintenance by maintaining operational readiness. Storage facilities are scalable to accommodate tanks, APVS, mobile cannons, missiles, including associated ammunitions, radar, optical, electronics and weapons.

"The idea of the dry storage concept is that it provides a barrier to moisture and dirt. This ensures that the vehicles and equipment remain in the same condition as when they originally stored," says Eran Sela. "Temperature is controlled using a sophisticated, insulation system. The vehicles are stored in total darkness so energy costs are greatly reduced."

Through remote control, temperature and light can be monitored and changed at all times if necessary. Superior systems can also monitor water and oil levels in the equipment from afar as well as the charge in batteries. "The benefit of the dry storage building is that equipment can be stored in a state where they immediately ready for use," he continues.

The building allows a reduction in both skilled and non-skilled personnel at a base, resulting in an average reduction of 60 per cent less than regular maintenance.

Modular vehicle barriers

Products at Mifram are developed in response to need, explains Eran Sela. With increasing numbers of suicide bombers ramming cars, buildings and other targets both at home and in hostile zones such as Iraq, Mifram came up with the Modular Vehicle Barrier (MVB). This is lightweight, portable, low maintenance and flexible in length. It shifts the forward momentum of a vehicle downwards fully stopping a 2.5 ton vehicle running at a speed of 46mph almost instantaneously. Effective on different terrains, its separable unique L-shaped units lock themselves on the vehicle's chassis, body and wheels rendering it immobile. It can be assembled in less than five minutes without assembly tools, and positioned anywhere.

"The Modular Vehicle Barrier is used in all sorts of locations, Military units and peacekeepers all over the world, national monuments, through to Executive protection," he says. "It is even used by cruise ships, some of whom assemble and set it up by the gangway when they dock at a port. We do foresee growth in the number of these we supply over the years. At the moment we are the only company who supply them."

Seeking partners for collaboration

Mifram has no competition in many of the products and solutions it supplies, says Eran Sela. But the security division is always keen to find partners to work with. One such area is in the development of its new check points.
"Following the rise in the number of suicide bombers blowing themselves up at check points and killing and injuring not only guards but also others waiting to cross, we developed this product," he explains. "The individual and their luggage are contained in a separate unit as they approach the check point.

"This has been specially developed to withstand a blast from up to 10kg of TNT, ensuring that security guards and other people in the vicinity are not killed or injured.

"These are not necessarily for military use. We have had interest from theme parks, prisons and embassies," he says. "We are now looking at collaborating on these with partners, we are beginning to do this with an Italian x-ray company for example. We are extremely interested in working with partners who perhaps specialize in an area we don't cover ourselves but one which could work very well with something we have."

Another unique Mifram product is the Mantis watch tower. This is believed to be the world's only existing operational solution to quick response and mobility required missions. The Mantis is a platform designed to for a range of missions, from military to civilian. The platform is bullet proof and from arrival to set-up takes less than 30 minutes. It has multiple power supply options and can be used in all weather conditions.

"This can obviously be used for military operations and border control etc but is also ideal for mass events such as demonstrations and festivals," says Eran Sela.

Building up business

As well as distributing its products itself and using agents, Mifram also supplies OEMs and can supply products under own labels. "Because of our production facilities we can produce these items at better rates. We have cheaper labour and we have the experience of manufacturing these products," says Eran Sela. "We want to co-operate with OEMs, This is very much part of our strategy for the future."

Also part of Mifram's strategy is to build up its business in key geographical regions. "We will be looking at purchasing other companies and developing our business in both the US and Europe in the near future," he adds. "Mifram expects its business to grow - across all the areas it covers, including its Security division.