Portuguese Government chooses Sepura

UKTI support helps Sepura’s successful bid for €11 million Portuguese government contract.

The Portuguese Ministry of Internal Affairs – Ministério da Administração Interna awarded a €11 million contract to the British company Sepura for the supply of TETRA radio to police forces and fire brigades last July 2009.

The radios will operate on SIRESP, the national TETRA network implemented by the Portuguese Government for all public organisations; the network’s deployment is now nearing 95% completion.

An immediate order was placed for 17,000 TETRA radios plus corresponding accessories, with further orders of up to 40,000 TETRA radio terminals forecast for the next three years. The radios were selected on very complex assessment criteria and will be used by the National Republic Guard (GNR), the Public Safety Police (PSP), the National Institute for Medical Emergency (INEM) and the National Services of Fire Brigade and Civil Protection (SNBPC).

Late 2008 Sepura and their partner NEC Portugal approached the UK Trade & Investment team in Lisbon for their support in the market when biding for the supply of TETRA radio terminals. As part of Sepura´s strategy to promote the company at government level UKTI team in Lisbon organised meetings with key government contacts and in March 2009 the company participated in the Security Workshop & Meet the Buyers opened by HM Ambassador and the Portuguese Secretary of State for Internal Administration, among a panel of 9 UK companies delivering presentations to a Portuguese audience.

Mr Rodrigues added: „This is the largest single order received by Sepura to date.  With this prestigious contract we have now become market leader in yet another country, increasing the total to 36 and further expanding our global market share”.

Gordon Watling, Sepura's CEO, concluded: “We are delighted that the Portuguese Ministry of Interior has selected Sepura to supply its TETRA radios for use on the new national network.  This award builds on our recent successes with other major European tenders, such as those in Germany, and reinforces Sepura’s position as the leading supplier of TETRA radios to public safety users world-wide.

Lord Davies, Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Small Business said: “Success stories like Sepura, ….. are exactly what we envisage when we encourage firms across the country to 'Take it to the World'. Now is the perfect time for enterprising UK technology businesses, especially start ups and small businesses, to look abroad at the myriad opportunities available. Exporting breathes life into our economy.”

Contacts

If you are interested in developing your business in Portugal please contact UKTI’s Team in Lisbon, uktradeinvest.lisbon@fco.gov.uk or your local International Trade Advisor.