NEWPORT, Wales--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Airbus UK's parent company, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) company, will bring a big part of its UK corporate defense systems research capability to its Newport, Wales base.
The EADS Innovation Works UK program will further develop the company's technological innovation capability through closer links with the UK Government and leading Universities, which will bring between 40 and 60 high-tech jobs to Wales over the next five years.
Innovation Works UK will initially concentrate on EADS UK's key strengths in technology for advanced secure communications, simulation of complex systems, software engineering and advanced wing design and manufacture.
EADS partners include the Welsh Assembly Government, Regional Development Agencies, and leading Universities of Cardiff, Bristol, and Southampton.
Wales First Minister Rhodri Morgan said today: "I am delighted that the Welsh Assembly Government, through its Knowledge Bank for Business, has played a pivotal role in developing this new initiative.
"EADS is one of the world's leading technology-based companies with outstanding credentials in aerospace and defense and is a major employer in Wales, with the world-beating Airbus wing facility at Broughton employing around 6,000 people, and a further 900 employed at their Defence and Security division in Newport."
Jean Botti, EADS Chief Technology Officer, said: "Innovation and ingenuity has always been the driving force behind EADS. We take pride in our ability to attract the best people and harness the best ideas and technologies to stay at the cutting edge.
"Innovation Works will further accelerate our initiatives across a range of sectors and technologies and enable us to give something back to local communities and academic institutions who have been important long-term partners of ours."
In addition to Newport, Innovation Works will also be located with EADS' other major UK facilities at Bristol and Portsmouth.
About IBW
International Business Wales is the economic development arm of the Welsh Assembly Government with the responsibility of helping international corporations locate operations in Wales, and with promoting international trade by Welsh businesses. IBW can assist businesses in finding suitable properties in Wales for their operations, help them in finding employees and in obtaining financial assistance from the Welsh government, when appropriate.
About EADS Defence and Security
EADS is a systems solutions provider combining military air systems, missile systems, communications and intelligence systems, global security solutions, sensor and avionics systems, as well as test and support solutions into a single effective network. In 2006, EADS - with around 23,000 employees - achieved revenues of € 5.9 billion.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of € 39.4 billion and employs a workforce of about 116,000.