At the annual World Satellite Business Week conference in Paris, Astrium received the award for the Strategic M&A Transaction of the Year for its purchase of Earth observation services company Spot Image.
Astrium Services, the space services division of Astrium, purchased a majority share in Spot Image and now holds 82% of the equity. Spot Image is now closely aligned with Astrium’s existing major Earth observation business Infoterra – providing a greater range of value added services to the market.
Accepting the award from Pacôme Revillon of Euroconsult, Eric Béranger, CEO of Astrium Services, said: “I am honoured to receive this award – as it recognises our vision and strategy in bringing Spot Image into the Astrium Services family to expand our in-house data capabilities and strengthen our downstream services offerings. Spot Image brings 280 high quality staff with huge experience of running a worldwide sales business. This will help our common ambition to become global.”
He continued: “I would like to make a special mention of the French Space Agency CNES, for having had the vision more than 20 years ago to set up Spot Image – for appreciating, that the transfer of mature space services from the state to industry brings mutual benefit and then for turning this conclusion into reality.”
Astrium Services comprises four business divisions, Telecom Services, Secure Satcom Systems, Earth Observation Services, and Navigation.
Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2008, Astrium had a turnover of €4.3 billion and 15,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment and Astrium Services for the development and delivery of satellite services.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2008, EADS generated revenues of €43.3 billion and employed a workforce of more than 118,000.
