Airbus Group News

Mark Lamarre, who most recently served as CEO of Australian Shipbuilding Company (ASC), has been named CEO of Seaspan Shipyards effective immediately. Lamarre succeeds Brian Carter, who stepped down to pursue other opportunities.Lamarre’s appointment follows recent Seaspan Shipyards additions to the senior leadership team, including Jari Anttila (previously with Philly Shipyard Inc. and Meyer Turku in Finland) as COO and Christof Brass (previously with Airbus Group SAS) as CFO.Lamarre is an experienced shipbuilding executive with more 30 years of experience in operations…

A €622m-equivalent dividend recapitalization and refinancing loan for Norwegian satellite navigation group Marlink has been withdrawn from the market, sources familiar with the situation said.The leveraged loan for Marlink, which is owed by private equity firm Apax Partners, has run into the turbulence that has hit the European market in the last month, as investors call for better terms and conditions.A combination of increased dealflow and poor secondary trading levels on loans signed earlier this year is helping investors to push for higher pricing and stronger documentation."Several deals have struggled recently. We've seen terms changing and ultimately the market was simply not in a receptive place for this one (Marlink)…

Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) has appointed Christof Brass as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Christof brings over 20 years of experience successfully delivering large, complex programs for multinational companies. With an extensive back-ground in strategic financial planning and analysis, Christof will help drive the continued success and improvement of Seaspan. “As a leader with experience in transforming international finance teams, Christof has all of the skills that we were looking for to lead the financial components of our business,” said Brian Carter, President and CEO – Seaspan Shipyards. Christof is a highly accomplished finance executive who will provide the leadership and guidance necessary to build a strong, integrated and efficient finance team.

Kelvin Hughes has been acquired by HENSOLDT (formerly Airbus Defense Electronics) as a result of an agreement by its owners ECI Partners to sell its investment in the company. “Following the buyout from Smiths Group, ECI has been a consistent and supportive partner as we have consolidated our position as a global leader in surveillance and security radar solutions,” said Kelvin Hughes CEO, Russell Gould. Completion of the transaction remains subject to regulatory clearances. HENSOLDT, an independent sensor house, is a provider of radar and IFF systems on airborne, naval and land platforms.

European planemaker Airbus Group SE has forged a technology partnership with Oracle Team USA as this championship sailing squad prepares to defend its title in the 2017 competition for America’s Cup – which is the oldest international sporting trophy of the modern era (born in 1851), and one of the most difficult to win. As Official Innovation Partner of Oracle Team USA, Airbus is sharing the know-how of its experts in areas such as aerodynamics, instrumentation, simulation, composites, structures, hydraulics and data analysis; while simultaneously benefiting from the innovative approach of a world leader in sailing. By taking on a project of this magnitude that combines extreme technology and sports, Airbus is stretching its competencies and further boosting the company’s agility.

Funds managed by the private equity firm Apax Partners completed the acquisition of Marlink, Airbus Group’s Commercial Satellite Communication business.   Marlink’s maritime and land commercial satcom business is present in 14 countries across Europe, Asia, Middle‐East and Americas, and has a distribution network of approximately 400 resellers worldwide. The company serves all maritime sectors, as well as users in the mining, energy and humanitarian sector.    The government satcom business is not part of this transaction and remains part of Airbus Defence & Space’ core activities.

The Finnish government said on Thursday it would sell 49.9 percent of the shares in defence group Patria to Norway's state-controlled Kongsberg Gruppen for 272 million euros ($308 million). Finland, which will retain the remaining stake, had struggled to find a suitable industrial investor for Patria after it had been forced to buy Airbus Group out of the company in 2014. Patria is seen as a nationally important company as its products include tanks and mortar systems and it handles maintenance tasks for Finland's military forces. Last year, Patria had sales of 428 million euros with an operating profit of 47 million euros. The partnership with Kongsberg will help Patria grow in a consolidating industry, the government said.

[Press Release] Airbus Group SE (AIR) signed with French private equity firm, Apax Partners, a share purchase agreement (SPA) for the sale of 100% of the share capital of the legal entities comprising the commercial satellite communication business. The final closing of the transaction – subject to regulatory approvals – is expected to take place in the next months. Airbus Defence and Space announced in September of 2014 that a detailed and comprehensive portfolio assessment had defined Military Aircraft, Space, Missiles and related Systems and Services as its future core businesses.

The Coast Guard Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to the education and welfare of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that its 21st Annual Tribute to the United States Coast Guard Eighth District will take place on Friday, March 14, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Admiral Robert J. Papp, commandant, U.S. Coast Guard and his wife, Linda Papp, will speak at the event. The Coast Guard Foundation’s New Orleans awards dinner is a celebration of the men and women serving in the U.S. Coast Guard's 8th District, which includes the Gulf Coast and the inland waterways of the country. This year, the Foundation will pay special tribute to seven Coast Guard spouses and the roles they play in keeping their Coast Guard families and communities strong…

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education and welfare of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that its 21st Annual Tribute to the United States Coast Guard Eighth District will take place on Friday, March 14, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Admiral Robert J. Papp, commandant, U.S. Coast Guard and his wife, Linda Papp, will speak at the event. The Coast Guard Foundation’s New Orleans awards dinner is a celebration of the men and women serving in the U.S.

Astrium Services, the global innovative provider of satellite enabled solutions, has announced that it will operate with immediate effect under its new name Airbus Defence and Space, a division of Airbus Group. The change from Astrium Services to the new Airbus Defence and Space is part of a rebranding throughout the wider EADS organization. Earlier this year, EADS became Airbus Group, with three distinct divisions: Airbus, Airbus Defence and Space, and Airbus Helicopters. The entire Astrium Services portfolio of satellite communications and geo information services will continue under the newly created Communication, Intelligence & Security (CIS) business line of Airbus Defence and Space.