EADS SPACE Acquires Dutch Space

Dutch Space BV, the largest space company in the Netherlands and
leading international space industry supplier joins EADS SPACE,
Europe??s number one in space. In the presence of the Dutch Minister of
Economic Affairs, Mr L.J Brinkhorst, EADS SPACE CEO Fran?Åois Auque and
the CEO of Dutch Space Ben Spee signed the acquisition contract
integrating Dutch Space into the EADS SPACE group of companies. This
transaction confirms EADS’ leading role in European space business as
EADS now integrates space industry in five European countries.
 
?¨We are delighted that Dutch Space is
joining EADS SPACE. Dutch Space has a long and successful history in
the space business and will be an excellent asset to our portfolio,?Æ
stated Fran?Åois Auque, CEO of EADS SPACE and member of the EADS
Executive Committee. ?¨Its integration into EADS SPACE further
strengthens the company??s prime and product leading role in the
Netherlands. Henceforth, EADS SPACE will be represented in 5 European
countries,?Æ added Mr Auque.
 
Ben Spee, CEO of Dutch Space, added that
the new industrial link between EADS and The Netherlands, through Dutch
Space, will positively influence the space activities in The
Netherlands. ?¨Dutch Space is glad to proceed as part of a successful
European aerospace company?Æ, he said.
 
Upon completion of the acquisition, Dutch
Space will be part of EADS SPACE Transportation. Already an important
EADS SPACE Transportation supplier, the business will be integrated
into EADS SPACE??s European network of centres of excellence, whilst
retaining the national character and strengthening the position of
Dutch Space on the marketplace.
 
Dutch Space, formerly part of the Fokker
group, was established as an independent company in 1995, and has
nearly 300 employees. The company??s core business areas are robotics,
space instruments, launchers and solar arrays. In spacecraft solar
arrays, the company??s range extends from telecoms and science to Earth
observation applications. Dutch Space??s unique expertise in
lightweight, rigid and strong structural components has led to close
involvement in the Ariane launcher development and production
programme. Dutch Space contributes the ?¨Engine Thrust Frame?Æ for the
first and second stage of the Ariane 5 launcher. The company is also
responsible for design and production of interstage 1/2 of the new
small European Launcher VEGA, and was prime contractor for the Robotic
Arm ?± a major European contribution to the International Space Station.
 
EADS SPACE will promote the prime role of
Dutch Space business and the specialist disciplines and products,
consistent with the Netherlands Space policy. Besides, EADS has agreed
to support Dutch Space activities for the future development of the
company in line with the expected growth of the European Space market.
 
EADS pursues a strategy of reinforcing
its partnership with the Dutch aerospace industry through several
programmes involving mainly Airbus but also Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
(UAV) activities. Stork Aerospace is already a major supplier to the
A330 and A340 family and in particular to the A380. Airbus and Stork
are currently in discussion on further significant work packages and
Stork’s participation in the A350 programme. Both companies are also
cooperating in Research and Technology Development following an
agreement signed in April 2005. EADS sees UAVs as a new field of
potential future co-operation and is in discussions with the
Netherland??s Industrial MALE UAV Platform (NIMUP).
 
EADS SPACE, a wholly owned subsidiary of
EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems. In
2004, EADS SPACE had a turnover of ?Ñ2.6 billion and 11,000 employees in
France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain. It has three main
subsidiaries: EADS SPACE Transportation, for launchers and orbital
infrastructure, EADS Astrium for satellites and ground segment and EADS
SPACE Services to develop and deliver satellite services.
 
EADS is a global leader in aerospace,
defense and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of ?Ñ31.8
billion and employed a workforce of more than 110,000.
 
Contacts for the media:
R?àmi ROLAND EADS SPACE (FR)
Tel.: +33 (0) 1 42 24 27 34
Dr. Christian ERLES EADS SPACE (FR)
Tel.: +33 (0) 1 39 06 32 53
Dr. Mathias SPUDE EADS SPACE (D)
Tel.: +49 (0) 421 539 5710
Geert MENNENGA Dutch Space (NL)
Tel.: +31 (0) 71 5245120
Ministry of Economic Affairs (NL) Tel.: +31 (0) 70 3796464
 
(Credits Edubourse
EARSC
Author: EARSC



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