Terradyne Armored Vehicles, manufacturers of the GURKHA range of tactical vehicles, has carved a niche for itself as a company with an in-depth knowledge of this key market’s needs. Director of marketing – defence and diplomatic liaison Andrew Preston explains how Terradyne provides quality, uniformity and value for money for those working in defence.
Tell us about Terradyne Armored Vehicles.
Andrew Preston: Terradyne Armored Vehicles is part of an international automotive group that employs 102,000 people and operates in 26 countries. The group has provided the automotive industry with engineering and services, vehicle assembly and product systems for nearly half the age of the motor car. Its sales turnover is nudging $30 billion.
We identified an opportunity where existing inter-corporate synergies could be effectively applied to the design, manufacture and distribution of armoured vehicles – without reinventing the wheel. Through Terradyne, a wholly owned subsidiary, the group has achieved a firm foothold in the armoured vehicles industry. Terradyne is tasked with designing, developing, testing, manufacturing and bringing to the global marketplace the GURKHA range of light armoured tactical vehicles. Armoured SUV products are also in the pipeline.
What is the current demand for armoured vehicles and how has the market developed in recent years?
There is certainly growth; global demand is seemingly at an all-time high. GURKHA’s entry into the market was designed to coincide with a shift in land security tactics across both defence and law enforcement. Another recent development is that buyers and decision-makers – who are often spending taxpayers’ money – are becoming more discerning, responsible and ultimately more accountable for their decisions.
More attention is being paid to vehicles being fit for task, survivability, on-time delivery, dedicated local back-up, maintenance, warranty and support – in short, pretty much everything that the automotive manufacturing industry has been providing for the best part of a century. GURKHA has come to market from this school of thought.
How does Terradyne succeed in meeting the needs of the armoured vehicles market?
GURKHA is a versatile armoured tactical vehicle currently available in three configurations: light armoured patrol vehicle (LAPV), multipurpose vehicle (MPV) and rapid patrol vehicle (RPV).
Each vehicle is designed and engineered to suit the pressing and varied needs of those working the ropes in defence, law enforcement and homeland security throughout the world.
What factors set you apart from the competition?
Competition is not an issue given the way in which Terradyne has approached this sector. We are a group that is wholly responsible for product manufacturing and support. We are an established and dedicated manufacturer with proven experience, committed to quality and good to our word. These qualities won’t, of course, put a stop to those occasions when buyers, who really should know better, make decisions that would appear to fly in the face of logic, sound judgement and duty.
Our approach to the design of lightweight armoured vehicles is perhaps more logical than it is unique. For example, the platform we employ for the GURKHA range is the amazingly robust Ford F550 truck, and when a GURKHA vehicle rolls off the line it pretty much remains a Ford F550 truck. This translates into original equipment manufacturer chassis compliance and cost-effective parts, maintenance, service and warranty support in almost all operational territories.
Moreover, our business model is geared towards local, regional and global partnerships, strategic alliances, and close relationships with distributors and agents. To the wheel Terradyne has added one very tough spoke and the label reads ‘GURKHA – made in Canada’.
