BATTLESPACE has been covering BCB’s products for many years, they have always seemed to the Editor to be one of the UK defence industry’s nuggets waiting to be prised open!
Therefore, it was a pleasure to be invited to tour the BCB factory and research facility in Cardiff accompanied by PR consultant Adam Thomas, it was also fitting, that we went on D-Day and celebrated the 80th Anniversary.
BCB is a family affair run by Managing Director Andrew Howell with daughter Emily leading the marketing aided by his wife Janey. Both Andrew and are huge supporters of local industries and charities with Janey succeeding Andrew as High Sherrif of South Glamorgan this year.
The tour of BCB started with the D-Day celebrations, bagpipes, followed by lighting of the beacon with Andrew addressing the staff of 70:
“Today we commemorated the 80th Anniversary of D-Day – the beginning of the campaign to liberate Nazi-occupied northwestern Europe, the start of the liberation of Europe, spelling the beginning of the end of the Nazi Regime. On this anniversary of ‘The Longest Day’ beacons will be lit at 9.15pm across the UK, France and other Allied countries to pay tribute to the fallen, symbolising the ‘light of peace’ that emerged out of the darkness of war.
Here at BCB we lit our beacon with the team, taking a moment to remember the past sacrifices for peace, whilst recognising the terrible world conflicts we face today.
When we were allied, we were successful. BCB are here to support Britain and our allies in maintaining that deterrence, to protect the protectors and maintain the peace that was hard won by the bravery of the D-Day troops and the allied troops that fought in WWII. It may be 80 years today but we will remember and we will face the conflicts, as we have in the past, together. War never wins.”
From the outside, looking at the products, BCB seems to resemble a low-tech company supplying outdoor gear and protective clothing and accessories to the armed forces worldwide.
But, scratch beneath the surface and you find a dynamics technology company with strong links to the nearby Cardiff University, developing advanced systems to protect army, navy and airforce personnel across the world in the harshest conditions from mountains thru air turbulence to rough seas.
In fact, Andy Howell is more than just a Managing Director running a high-tech mid-size SME employing 70 people with a turnover of over £14 million, he is a ‘Q’ who likes nothing more than developing advanced systems with the main aim of protecting the user. BCB’s products run from the standard British Army mess tin to advanced ethanol Fire Dragon Firelighters to advanced air powered ship stopping systems, all developed and funded in-house.
His eyes light up when he demonstrates these products, particularly the Barracuda ship stopping system, developed by Andy with Cardiff University which can fire a projectile using air power at 50 meters to stop a small ship without any damage to the superstructure and systems. When he describes how the systems were developed, it all seems so simple!
I am sure that when he sees it is time to step down as MD, he will become the ‘mad professor’ locked away in his garden shed developing advanced safety products with a hot line to Cardiff University.
BCB’s heritage is built on technology, with a bias to chemicals. In 1854, a Dr Browne came up with a cough medicine and shipped some off to British troops suffering in the trenches in the Crimean war. 60 years later, Dr Browne’s Cough Bottle gave the initials for a registered company, BCB. Taken over by a local Cardiff chemist Deryck Howell in 1949, BCB remains a Howell family run firm to this day.
The Evolution of Camouflage – Protecting The Infantryman
In this article we will concentrate on infantry systems as BCB is exhibiting at the Close Combat Symposium in July. The main feature of the exhibit will be the MK8 Multi-spectral Camouflage (MSC) in service with a number of special forces throughout the world.
BCB manufacturers a complete range of clothing and protection systems for the infantryman from camouflage cream thru knee and groin protection systems to camouflage.
BCB International’s MSC system is designed to counter the most advanced surveillance technologies used in contemporary warfare. Unlike traditional camouflage, which primarily focuses on IR and visible light, BCB’s solution operates across multiple spectra, including visual, infrared, and thermal imaging.
BCB’s MS camouflage (MSC) leverages advanced materials and technologies it has developed with a university over several years, to disrupt, deny, and deceive detection across the electromagnetic spectrum. By incorporating materials that absorb, reflect, or scatter radiation in various wavelengths, the camouflage effectively conceals personnel, large and very hot platforms like artillery, field camps, foxholes, and vehicles from detection by sensors, including drones equipped with infrared and thermal imaging systems.
On the factory tour Andy showed the Editor the camouflage manufacturing process which is akin to the Gieves & Hawkes of camouflage.
“What are the advantages of your camouflage systems?” The Editor asked.
“We buy in the basic, coloured fabric and manufacture it to the customer’s requirements. We can shred it, crimp it or make a specialist sniper Ghillie suit, we can even make an IR resistant camouflaged umbrella.”
“In addition, armoured vehicles are prime targets for enemy drones seeking to disrupt Ukrainian operations. BCB’s Multi-spectral Camouflage (MSC) can be quickly and easily fitted with reversible desert or green systems. MSC will be shown on the Hobson Industries gunship at this year’s DVD.” Andy Howell said.
“Is your MSC in use in Ukraine?”
“The ongoing conflict in Ukraine highlights how critical effective camouflage techniques are, against relentless 24/7 aerial surveillance. Drones, now the ubiquitous tools for reconnaissance and targeting, pose a significant threat to ground forces. In this cat-and-mouse environment, BCB’s MSC offers a critical advantage, allowing Ukrainian forces to evade detection and operate with greater freedom and security. In urban environments where traditional concealment methods may be limited, Multispectral Camouflage enables Ukrainian soldiers to blend into their surroundings. Whether navigating through rubble-strewn streets or taking cover in damaged buildings, personnel outfitted with BCB’s camouflage can evade detection by drones scanning for heat signatures. The adoption of BCB’s MSC provides Ukrainian forces with a strategic edge in the ongoing conflict.”
“At BCB we not only have the advantage of the technology to design the camouflage to defeat the detection of the soldier on the ground 24/7 but we also build the advanced Mk 3 Dragon UAV with sister company UAVE based up the coast in Parc Aberporth. The Mk3 Dagon is a medium altitude 1000km long range UAV which can be equipped with advanced systems and sensors.”
Camouflage techniques have come a long way from simple coloration and pattern designs to sophisticated systems that manipulate various spectra of light to blend seamlessly into the environment. Traditional camouflage, while effective against the human eye at certain distances, often falls short against the advanced sensors employed by modern surveillance systems, including drones equipped with lighter-weight, multi-spectral imaging capabilities.
“The ability to conceal your infantryman on today’s battlefield 24/7 is an absolute key requirement for today’s armies. The arrival of the small, medium, and large UAVs on the battlefield means that the soldier is visible to the enemy day and night. At BCB we work with another local University to develop and produce products that provide protection from UAV-mounted IR cameras and radars. Our first foray into camouflage products was the Mk7 system which has been sold extensively throughout the world, BCB supplies over 55 armed forces. This did not provide the 24/7 protection required from IR cameras. So, we developed the MSC Mk8 camouflage system now being marketed extensively. This will be the centerpiece of our exhibit at the Close Combat Symposium in July.”
Fire Dragon Firelighters
The factory tour continued, and we were ushered into the special area making the advanced Fire Dragon firelighter system, now being sold to the Ukraine armed forces where a factory has been established, and to civil suppliers such as Tesco.
“What made you develop an advanced firelighter?” The Editor asked.
“The existing hexamine fire brick used for many years to heat soldier’s meals gives out dangerous fumes when used in tents. Tragically two Royal Marines died from fumes when cooking in their bivy in the Arctic winter. I decided that there must be a way to develop a safe firelighter system. I contacted Cardiff University and for the price of three lunches we developed Fire Dragon, an ethanol- based firelighter which can be used in bivies. Ukraine saw the huge benefit of Fire Dragon which enables their soldiers to cook undercover so they cannot be detected by prowling Russian UAVs.”
Fire Dragon is sold in solid, gel and liquid form with the British Army brick being larger than the French version to allow the British Tommy to cook his ubiquitous cuppa!
In addition, Fire Dragon ticks all the sustainability boxes.
“This invention is a world first in firelighters; they are essentially made from rotting vegetable matter (UK-sourced ethanol), rather than wood from trees like other firelighters. So by avoiding cutting down large forests we proved that a rubbish idea could save the planet!” Andy Howell said.
As Adam and I left the BCB factory with a planned return to cover the MSC Mk8 camouflage system for vehicles, the Barracuda ship stopping system, and their UAV products for the DVD issue, we wondered what ideas ‘Q’ and his team would have developed by the time we returned!
Andrew Howell MBE is a candidate for the BATTLESPACE Businessman of The Year Award 2024.