EADS Backs Britain
- EADS opens a new corporate base in London
- EADS UK launches Technology Masters Awards programme for young British engineers
- EADS committed to investment, employment and training in the UK
London, 27 May 2004
EADS, the global aerospace and defence company, last night celebrated the opening of its new office in London and unveiled its Technology Masters programme for British engineering students. At this occasion, the EADS CEO’s, Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich, the Executive Vice President of EADS International, Jean-Paul Gut, and UK Country President, Sir Jeremy Blackham, were hosting a reception where the UK Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, was the guest speaker.
Commenting on the growth of EADS’ presence in the UK in recent years, the EADS CEOs described the commitment of EADS to the UK and said: “It means a great deal to us to succeed in what is said to be one of the toughest defence markets in the world.”
“We are very happy that during some of the recent major defence programme competitions, such as for the Skynet 5 secure satellite communication system and – of course – the FSTA programme, we have been able to raise our visibility in the UK defence market,” Camus and Hertrich said. “We are sure to accomplish much for the United Kingdom and for EADS – contributing to one of the most dynamic and innovative economies in the world through investment, employment and training – and we look forward to sharing in the success we are confident will come for both the UK and for EADS.”
Hertrich and Camus pointed out that the long history of EADS’ activities in the UK often surprises people: “Our new office is not the starting point of our presence in the UK. Rather, it comes as the next stage in a commitment that has been growing steadily since EADS’ formation in 2000. The United Kingdom is not only one of our most important markets – in fact it now represents our third biggest operation worldwide! The UK really has become one of the four home countries of EADS.“
EADS’ long term commitment to the UK is also demonstrated by the launch of the EADS Technology Masters programme for talented UK aerospace engineers. Camus and Hertrich said: “The Technology Masters programme is just one example of how we see EADS interests aligned with the UK’s: in this case working together to advance the technological and scientific foundations of Aerospace activities in this country.”
Jean-Paul Gut, Executive Vice President of EADS International and member of the Executive Committee, added: “We are fully committed to expand our business activities in the UK and we are confident that EADS UK will play a key role to realize this goal. I have no doubt that EADS will soon be one of the leading aerospace companies in the UK. We are ready to master this challenge!”
Sir Jeremy Blackham, UK Country President of EADS UK, pointed out: “The new EADS Masters Programme is a vote of confidence not only in Britain’s young engineers but also in the UK as a global centre of manufacturing excellence. In the UK we often mistakenly underestimate the esteem in which UK aviation and engineering is held around the world.”
About EADS
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the second largest missile producer in the global market. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.
In 2003 EADS total revenues in the UK were £1.7bn (representing approximately 9 % of EADS’ total global sales). EADS’ order backlog in the UK is £12bn (representing 10% of EADS’ total backlog). EADS Employees in the UK number more than 13,000.
EADS Businesses in the UK include: Airbus UK (Broughton, Filton), EADS Astrium (Portsmouth, Stevenage, Poynton), Paradigm Secure Communications/Paradigm Services (Stevenage, Corsham), Cogent Defence and Security Networks/EADS Defence and Communications Systems (Newport), EADS Operations & Services (Yeovil), MBDA (Stevenage, Bristol, Lostock), Eurocopter/ McAlpine Helicopters (Kidlington), Infoterra (Farnborough, Leicester)
Major current EADS programmes include: Airbus A380, Airbus Military A400M, Eurofighter Typhoon, Skynet 5, Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA), Storm Shadow, Galileo, Cormorant, Joint UAV Evaluation Programme (JUEP)
About the EADS UK Technology Masters Awards
The EADS UK Technology Masters Awards is a UK-based corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative which has been created to provide support to British students studying for a one-year MSc programme in the fields of aerospace, space or systems.
In this, its first year, there will be six Awards available, two each at the University of Liverpool, Cranfield University and City University. All three Universities have excellent reputations in one or more of the relevant fields and have demonstrated that the additional funds from the Awards will be invaluable in attracting MSc students to their courses.
Awards are valued at £5,000 each and will be made to students for study in the 2004 / 2005 academic year. Selection will be handled jointly by the Universities and EADS UK and will be made on the basis of academic merit and aptitude.
Ansprechpartner:
| Tom Randell | Merlin |
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| Rainer Ohler |
Tel.: +49 89 607 34235 |
| Patrice Kreis |
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| Miguel Sanchez |
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| www.eads.net |
