Summa set to add jobs after winning big Army contract

Summa Technology Inc. will add 40 employees at its manufacturing facility in Cullman after receiving a $38.4 million contract from the Army's Tank and Automotive Command.

The contract is for 4,320 platform units used to transport ammunition and other needed munitions directly to soldiers in the field. Summa said the Container Roll-in/Out ammunition platforms, the M3 CROP, have been used extensively in support of distribution operations, moving all classes of supplies.

"The CROPs are used to deliver prepositioned supplies,'' said Ben Williams, Summa's vice president for business development. "It's all about supporting the war fighter, and all of our workers take a lot of pride in that.''

The award is for 4,320 units to be delivered over one year, a significant increase from historical annual deliveries of about 800 units. Summa delivered its first M3 CROP to the Army in 1998.

The units will be produced at Summa's facility in Cullman. Williams said the number of workers at the plant will increase from 70 to 110.

Summa, based in Huntsville, provides aerospace and defense design, engineering, manufacturing and testing of its products, as well as logistics support and project manufacturing services. It has about 240 employees in Huntsville.

Summa said U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, has supported the program and was instrumental in encouraging the Army to procure CROP units to provide logistical support to soldiers.