EADS expands in South African defence
INVESTMENT EADS Defence & Security is increasing its presence in the South African defence market with the acquisition of a 25% stake in command and control systems specialist Fulcrum Defence Systems. Blackstar Holdings owns a 40% stake, while Fulcrum Group owns 35%.
UK aerospace targets Japan
EXPANSION UK companies are aiming to win a greater share of the Japanese aerospace market, with industry associations targeting "significant opportunities", according to executive director of the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium Ross Bradley. He sees particularly good prospects in Japan's plan to create the first "eco-airport" at Narita, as well as in the space sector. Japan also provides "great opportunities for collaboration and research" for UK institutions, Bradley says, with Japan home to 2% of the world's population but 20% of scientific research. Bradley took part in the UK-Japan Aerospace Forum in Tokyo earlier this month arranged in response to the recognition that "the UK share of the Japanese market is not what it should be".
Umeco looks to expand composites reach
STRATEGY Umeco is targeting the composites sector for further acquisitions, with discussions ongoing with one US- and one UK-based business. "We're looking at companies with composite technologies and qualified material - we don't have the development expertise and product qualifications that some others do," says chief executive Clive Snowdon. Umeco, which posted full-year results last week (see graph), is also looking at expanding the geographical coverage of the supply-chain arm of its business, specifically in Germany and North America. Meanwhile, final negotiations are under way for the lease of a warehouse in Singapore.
John Holland buys Ansett engineering
ACQUISITION Melbourne, Australia-based construction and engineering conglomerate John Holland is pushing into the aviation services sector with the acquisition of Ansett Australia Engineering Services, which it has rebranded as John Holland Aviation Services. The company carries out maintenance work on commercial narrowbody aircraft and widebodies including Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s and 767s. Its base at Melbourne airport includes two large hangars.
Sikorsky adds to Black Hawk facility
SUPPORT Helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky is expanding its technical integration centre in Huntsville, Alabama, which supports Black Hawk helicopters and other defence programmes and is close to US military facility Redstone Arsenal. The UTC subsidiary is planning to increase its workforce at the site from its current level of 65, to over 160 in the next year. "As the 2005 base realignment and closure plan is funded and put into effect, Redstone Arsenal will become even more of a military R&D focal point," says Sikorsky president Jeff Pino.
Rafael closes on India with joint venture
PARTNERSHIP Rafael is in the final stages of negotiating a deal to set up a joint venture in India with Tata, using Israeli technologies to develop and manufacture defence systems including missiles.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
