HellermannTyton, the leading supplier of cable fasteners, fixings, insulation and protection products, has become only the third company in the world to have its heat shrinkable moulded shapes approved for Quality Product Listing (QPL) to the SAE AS85049 standard.

A military specification for harness components, the SAE AS85049 is an internationally-recognised standard to help ensure the safety, quality and effectiveness of products and services across the military engineering industry. The aerospace standard replaces old USA Military specifications (Mil Spec) and has been awarded to HellermannTyton's moulded shapes made from its B7, J, G, H and L materials, along with the adhesives and sizes that complement these.

Valid for the next three years, the accreditation means that the products meet the quality criteria set by the USA for the military aerospace sector, providing HellermannTyton with the opportunity to tender for new contracts in this area. 

To meet defence standards, equipment must maintain high performance and be repairable to maintain the logistical efficiency for the military. HellermannTyton's accreditation means that its heat-shrinkable moulded shapes are compatible for the military and are fully interchangeable meaning they can be immediately used to replace damaged components.

As part of the QPL, HellermannTyton's plant in Plymouth was inspected by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), which assesses the requirements of the SAE criteria, where a full audit of HellermannTyton's testing and manufacturing facilities was also undertaken. The inspection ensured HellermannTyton had the ability to produce the products in accordance with the specification, as well as verify that the quality assurance programme in place is both operational and effective.

Barry Phelps, UK Product Manager at HellermannTyton, said: “The QPL for the SAE AS85049 confirms the quality of HellermannTyton's moulded shapes within the USA military aerospace sector, in addition to more commercial markets. Our materials are formulated in our laboratory and produced in the Plymouth factory, aligning with the quality required for extreme industries, such as the defence aerospace sector.

“The listing strengthens our position as a high quality and reliable manufacturer both in the UK and the USA. The skill of our technical teams and in-house testing capabilities reaffirm our position as leaders in our field.”