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Christiane Schneide
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Monday, 03 November 2008 |
Following the sale of the Swedish space company Saab Space and its Austrian subsidiary Austrian Aerospace by SAAB AB to Swiss technology group RUAG, the companies are now united under one name: RUAG Aerospace.
The former "Saab Space AB" of Sweden and "Austrian Aerospace GmbH" of Austria are thus now known as "RUAG Aerospace Sweden AB" and "RUAG Aerospace Austria GmbH" respectively. These companies are being combined with the Swiss space technology activities of RUAG to form one strengthened, Space business unit at RUAG Aerospace. This will enable RUAG to position itself as a pan-European supplier in the space technology segment and to offer its clients even more performance from a single source in the future.
RUAG Aerospace in Switzerland is a successful niche supplier in the space business. Its product portfolio includes mechanical components, instruments and aerostructures for satellites and commercial launch vehicles, and for use at the International Space Station (ISS). Orders here originate from the European Space Agency (ESA) and various commercial clients. To strengthen its market position, in September this year, RUAG Aerospace took over the space activities of Swedish aerospace company Saab in both Sweden and Austria. The merger of Saab Space in Sweden, Austrian Aerospace in Austria and RUAG Aerospace in Switzerland under the single name of RUAG Aerospace has given rise to the largest independent space technology supplier in Europe.
Experienced market players
Saab Space has been in the space business for more than 30 years. The main focuses of the Swedish firm's activities are computer systems, antennas and microwave electronics for satellites, alongside satellite adapters and separation systems for commercial launch vehicles.
Its fully owned subsidiary Austrian Aerospace has been active in the space segment for over 25 years. Its products include on-board electronics for digital signal processing, mechanisms, and thermal insulation for satellites. The range is rounded off by mechanical ground support equipment for integration, testing and transportation of satellites. In producing thermal insulation for terrestrial cryogenic applications as a spin-off from its space technology activities, Austrian Aerospace has over the past several years added another strong string to its bow.
During the integration process, over 500 new employees from Saab Space and Austrian Aerospace are being welcomed at RUAG. The new, merged company will continue to rely on a solid base in each country and the individual strengths and local skills of each constituent. For this reason, the sites in Switzerland (Emmen, Wallisellen, Nyon), Sweden (Gothenburg and Linköping) and Austria (Vienna and Berndorf) are set to be retained in the future.
High-skilled jobs
The company plans to expand its product portfolio further, based on the existing success of niche products with high market share - these include slip rings for positioning satellite solar panels, and protective thermal insulation for satellites. "This aspect is of key importance for ensuring profitability and thus also safeguarding high-skilled jobs", states Toni Wicki, CEO of RUAG Holding.
The RUAG technology group is an international aerospace and defence specialist with strong technological expertise. The Group's holding company is based in Berne (Switzerland). RUAG has production sites in Switzerland, Germany and Sweden. RUAG's engineering skills provide the foundations of its dynamic role in development and production. |
