CLEARWATER, Fla., Nov. 9, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Smiths Aerospace (LSE:SMIN) today appoints Catherine Gridley as the president of the company's customer services business. Cathie is responsible for this business, serving more than 1,400 customers in 140 countries. Customer services maintain a global network of support centers strategically located to meet the logistic, technical and maintenance requirements of its customers. Cathie is based in Clearwater, Florida and reports to Dr. John Ferrie, president of Smiths Aerospace.
Cathie succeeds Michael Steel, who will be responsible for the mechanical systems business within Smiths Aerospace. Cathie has been with Smiths since March 2003 as president of customer services Americas. Before joining Smiths she was vice president and general manager, customer services Americas at Goodrich Corporation.
Cathie earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Ithaca College and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Binghamton University.
Smiths Aerospace, a part of Smiths Group, is a leading transatlantic aerospace equipment and systems company, with nearly $2 billion sales and more than 10,000 staff split between Europe and North America. Smiths holds key positions in the supply chains on all major military and civil aircraft and engine manufactures. Strategically organized businesses focus on digital, electrical and mechanical systems, engine components and customer services.