A COMPANY in Westhoughton has landed a £25 million order.

Italian aircraft manufacturer Alenia Aerospazio has selected the APPH Group and Magnaghi Spa of Italy to supply the landing gear and associated hydraulic equipment for the C27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft.

This is an upgrade programme of the Alenia G222 carried out by Alenia and Lockheed Martin aeronautical systems.

Magnaghi and APPH will collaborate in the design, development and manufacture of the landing gear.

It will involve the two companies in work-sharing in both Italy and the UK.

The nose landing gear will be manufactured by Magnaghi Spa in Naples and the main landing gear at the APPH factory on the Wingates Industrial Park in Westhoughton.

APPH (Bolton) Ltd is part of the APPH Group owned by the BBA Group, a conglomerate with a turnover of about £1.4 billion.

The group has been involved in the design, development, manufacture and testing of hydraulic systems and equipment for aerospace applications since 1932.

APPH (Bolton) Ltd manufactures landing gear, hydraulic system equipment, filters and couplings for the aerospace and defence industries.

Sales manager Dereyk Martin said the management and manufacture of the project would be carried out in Westhoughton.

"It is unlikely to mean more jobs in the immediate future but it helps to secure those that are here," he said.

It was a significant, long-term contract won against international competition.

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