LINKOPING, Sweden, March 27, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Saab Aerospace in Linkoping, will be given a new organization from July 14, 2003. There will be two new business units: Saab Aerosystems and Saab Aerostructures. In addition, a support organization, Saab Support, will be formed. All units will report directly to Saab's group management.
Saab Aerosystems will have its business focus on the defence market, with its own long-term systems responsibility for independently developed aircraft such as the Gripen, shared systems responsibility for new advanced air combat systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles, (UAVs), and subsystem responsibility for other aircraft equipment, such as tactical mission system for helicopters. General Manager of Saab Aerosystems will be Lennart Sindahl, who will also be Site Manager in Linkoping with responsibility towards authorities, organisations and industry in the region. Deputy manager will be Johan Lehander.
"The time is now ripe for a division of the business area into two units. The recently extended contract with Hungary for the Gripen and the continued export potentials are important business opportunities for Aerosystems," said Ake Svensson, newly appointed President of Saab AB and former Manager of Saab Aerospace.
Saab Aerostructures will have its business focus on subsystem deliveries of fuselage and structural components for the Gripen, Airbus, Boeing and helicopters, among others. Saab Aerostructures will also have extended responsibility for fuselage production for the Gripen. General Manager of Saab Aerostructures will be Pontus Kallen. "Successful rationalization programs and new programs like the Airbus A380 and other projects have created excellent conditions for a profitable Aerostructures, says Ake Svensson."
Saab Support will supply general group services to the business units in Linkoping, coordinated with support units at other sites. Its responsibility will mainly be the cost-efficient supply of services to Saab Aerosystems and Saab Aerostructures in accordance with their defined needs. General Manager of Saab Support will be Kjell Johnsson.
"The new organization will provide greater opportunities for each unit to focus on its respective customers, at the same time as it will be more efficient in managing its own costs. Consequently, operations will be more focused, efficient and clearly defined," said Ake Svensson. The new organization for Saab in Linkoping will take effect from July 14, 2003.
Saab is one of the world's leading high-technology companies, with its main operations focusing on defence, aviation and space. The group covers a broad spectrum of competence and capability in systems integration.
For further information please contact: Saab Aerospace Peter Larsson, Vice President Communications phone: +46 13 180018 or +46 734 18 00 18 www.saab.se
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