Julian Moxon/PARIS Chris Jasper/LONDON
DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (Dasa) has unveiled the proposed organisational structure of the new European Aeronautics, Defense and Space (EADS) company to be formed through the merger of Aerospatiale Matra and Dasa. But the plan could face opposition from British Aerospace, which is concerned about its impact on Airbus Industrie.
The structure, detailed in a Dasa internal report, awards France the leadership role in EADS' Airbus, Space and Strategy divisions, and Germany leadership in three other divisions - non-Airbus Aeronautics, Defence and Finance.
The report confirms Jean-Luc Lagardère and Dasa's Manfred Bischoff as co-chairmen, presiding over a board of directors, and Lagardère president Philippe Camus as one of two chief executives heading an executive committee. Rainer Hertrich is being switched from president of MTU to become the German chief executive. Engine builder MTU is not part of the merger.
No other appointments are detailed, but French newspaper reports suggest Airbus managing director Noel Forgeard is to be put in charge of EADS' Airbus division, which will control 80% of the airframer, in a move that could provoke a clash with BAe, which holds 20%. A BAe source, speaking at the Dubai air show, warned that the UK giant would have a problem with Forgeard - former president of Matra - occupying both roles.
"There is no question of one person representing on the one hand all of the Airbus partners as general manager, as well as two shareholders of the EADS organisation," the source says. "The potential conflicts of interest are enormous. We have numerous operational interests in common with EADS-the essential thing is that these programmes are well managed." BAe indicates that it will hold discussions with EADS over the next few months. If agreement cannot be reached, it is possible that BAe could invoke its effective veto over major Airbus decisions, perhaps to oppose Forgeard's continued leadership of the consortium should he also be given control of EADS Airbus.
Dasa maintains that no decision on the organisational and management structures of EADS has yet been taken, "so there can be no objection to anything". The Dasa report reveals, however, that senior appointments are to be agreed and announced before the end of this month, and a decision on structure and further personnel is to be taken in early December.
Thomson-CSF is meanwhile believed to be keen to link with Dasa's military electronics business before the new company crystallises. One option could see Thomson take a small stake in EADS, allowing the Dasa division to be folded into the French defence electronics group. Dasa says it remains "open to talks with any further partners" - including BAe - although Bischoff plays down the chances of a US move in the absence of a single "transatlantic defence market".
• Jean-Luc Lagardère says EADS will not surrender the stake in Dassault Aviation held by Aerospatiale Matra. "Nothing obliges us to cede or give back to Dassault our 46%," he says, responding to suggestions that under a shareholders' pact, Dassault has the right to take back the stake as a result of the EADS merger.
Source: Flight International
