EADS opens local office

Aerospace, defense firm says presence here is 'paramount'

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

By WAYNE SMITH
Times Business Editor waynes@htimes.com

EADS North America executives say it is vital for the defense and aerospace company to have a presence in Huntsville.

"Huntsville is a technical center for the U.S. military,'' said David Oliver, CEO of EADS North America Defense. "It's also a center for acquisitions for the U.S. Army. If you want to be in touch with the customer, you need to be in Huntsville."

Oliver and other EADS officials were in Huntsville on Monday as the company officially opened its regional office, further expanding the company's U.S. presence and providing a local interface for Army program managers. It will initially have eight to 10 employees, and officials say that number will grow.

EADS North America is the North American operations of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., the world's second-largest aerospace and defense company.

The office, in Cummings Research Park, will support EADS North America's participation in a full range of U.S. defense work through such products as the C-295/CN-235 Future Cargo Aircraft (FCA), TransHospital mobile hospital, UH-145 Light Utility Helicopter and helicopter engine test equipment.

The Huntsville office will be managed by Tom Harrison, vice president and program manager for the UH-145. Prior to joining EADS, Harrison was Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.'s government programs product manager in Huntsville.

"This location is paramount,'' Harrison said. "Having an office here is huge and absolutely required.''

In addition to its work with the Army, the office will also have a support role with several other EADS programs.

Last week, Airbus - which is jointly owned by EADS and BAE Systems - began construction on an engineering center in Mobile. The Mobile center will expand if Northrop Grumman wins an order to modernize the Air Force's tanker cargo aircraft. EADS is a principal subcontractor for the tanker.

EADS has operations located in 18 states across the U.S., including a facility in Columbus, Miss., that produces the UH-145.




EADS opens local office Aerospace, defense firm says presence here is 'paramount' Tuesday, February 07, 2006 By WAYNE SMITH Times Business Editor waynes@htimes.com EADS North America executives say it is vital for the defense and aerospace company to have a presence in Huntsville. "Huntsville is a technical center for the U.S. military,'' said David Oliver, CEO of EADS North America Defense. "It's also a center for acquisitions for the U.S. Army. If you want to be in touch with the customer, you need to be in Huntsville." Oliver and other EADS officials were in Huntsville on Monday as the company officially opened its regional office, further expanding the company's U.S. presence and providing a local interface for Army program managers. It will initially have eight to 10 employees, and officials say that number will grow. EADS North America is the North American operations of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., the world's second-largest aerospace and defense company. The office, in Cummings Research Park, will support EADS North America's participation in a full range of U.S. defense work through such products as the C-295/CN-235 Future Cargo Aircraft (FCA), TransHospital mobile hospital, UH-145 Light Utility Helicopter and helicopter engine test equipment. The Huntsville office will be managed by Tom Harrison, vice president and program manager for the UH-145. Prior to joining EADS, Harrison was Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.'s government programs product manager in Huntsville. "This location is paramount,'' Harrison said. "Having an office here is huge and absolutely required.'' In addition to its work with the Army, the office will also have a support role with several other EADS programs. Last week, Airbus - which is jointly owned by EADS and BAE Systems - began construction on an engineering center in Mobile. The Mobile center will expand if Northrop Grumman wins an order to modernize the Air Force's tanker cargo aircraft. EADS is a principal subcontractor for the tanker. EADS has operations located in 18 states across the U.S., including a facility in Columbus, Miss., that produces the UH-145. © 2006 The Huntsville Times © 2006 al.com All Rights Reserved.