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The article focuses on Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, chairman and CEO of Finmeccanica SpA. When he took the helm in 2002, this Italian company seemed destined to operate in the shadows of the global aerospace/defense industry's industrial juggernauts. Guarguaglini will be the first to admit his work is far from over, despite the already considerable accomplishments. These include making Great Britain another "domestic" market for the Italian company by becoming the second-largest defense contractor there, and by winning competitions that at times seemed unwinnable.

An interview is presented with Giuseppe Orsi, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Italian aerospace company Finmeccanica. Orsi discusses the reorganization and restructuring of the company's businesses and skill base, the acquisition of the company DRS Technologies, and the defense electronic business. Concerns about the Italian government's spending cuts, competition in the market, and the company's relationship with the aerospace company Boeing are examined.

The article discusses the possibility that the private equity fund Cinven, which owns the majority of the aerospace engine company Avio, may sell their stakes The company could be sold to another private equity firm, though it is possible that it will go public, especially if the Italian financial market improves. The Italian industrial conglomerate Finmeccanica might also unload stakes in the company.

The article reports on the actions taken by Finmeccanica concerning its acquisition of DRS Technologies and deal with the U.S. on the C-27J Joint Cargo Aircraft. The company is finalizing key elements of its U.S. footprint, coming to terms with U.S. partners on C-27J Joint Cargo Aircraft production and preparing financial resources to complete the acquisition of DRS Technologies. Giorgio Zappa, the chief operating officer (COO) of the company, stated that the two companies are close to an agreement about partnering on the C-27J.

The article reports on the acquisition of military electronics contract DRS Technologies by Finmeccanica. The deal, which requires U.S. government approval and may face a counter-bid from EADS, could spark a new round of consolidation in the second tier of the aerospace and defense sector. Finmeccanica agreed to pay DRS shareholders a 32% premium. To alleviate such worries, Finmeccanica has proposed setting up DRS as a stand-alone subsidiary under a Special Security Agreement with a U.S. board of directors.

The article reports on the plan of Finmeccanica to improve its industrial business in Japan and sees its helicopter business as one of the hottest prospects for near-term inroads. According to Chief Operating Officer (CEO) Giorgio Zappa, the company intends to open a permanent office in Japan in 2009 with the goal of developing industrial and technological collaborations with local players. Finmeccanica has identified several projects around which to build teaming agreements.

With the ink on a space alliance agreement with Alcatel barely dry, Finmeccanica SpA is already exploring other opportunities to expand its aerospace and defense business, notably in the aerostructures area. Gamesa would provide a low-cost base and good relations with Embraer that would complement relationships with Boeing and Airbus long cultivated by Finmeccanica's Alenia Aeronautica unit. Plans by Gamesa in 2002 to merge its aerospace unit with Spanish engine manufacturer ITP foundered over disagreements on valuation capital markets.

BAE Systems PLC and Finmeccanica SpA have dropped plans to form a communications company as the two try to advance Anglo-Italian aspirations to craft a defense electronics alliance. After nearly a year of negotiations, the two have axed the third pillar of the "Eurosystems" joint venture to focus on a systems integration unit and an avionics business. A contributory factor to the delay in agreeing to the deal, according to Italian financial sources, has been the difficulty in determining the cash figure Finmeccanica would pay BAE to balance out the assets the British-based defense and aerospace manufacturer is contributing.

Italy's Finmeccanica SpA is moving to parlay recent and pending aero engine, trainer and satellite services acquisitions into a renewed strategy for aerospace alliances. Under a new management team installed in mid-2002, the Rome, Italy-based conglomerate has been working to put together a strategy capable of making it a major player in defense and space, as it has in the rotorcraft field. The key to this venture may be Finmeccanica's pending acquisition of Aermacchi. Meanwhile, the Italian aerospace and defense conglomerate recently reopened talks with EADS about merging their space activities, after coming close to an agreement with Alcatel Space, the Finmeccanica chief indicated.

The article discusses the announcement of several corporate overhaul measures at Italian aerospace company Finmeccanica in 2012, including the establishment of a defense unit in 2013 which will combine the firm's U.S. aeronautics, helicopter, and defense electronics units into one organization. Chief executive officer (CEO) Giuseppe Orsi stated that the changes are necessary to make the company more profitable.

The article discusses the aerospace companies EADS and Finmeccanica, examining business decisions which the companies will make in 2012. The article discusses EADS executives who could be promoted including Tom Enders, Marwan Lahoud, and Fabrice Bregier, the sale of stakes by the automobile company Daimler and the banking consortium Daedalus, and the Franco-German shareholding balance. Leadership changes at Finmeccanica and the reduction of the company's long-term credit rating are examined.

The article reports that Finmeccanica, the premier aerospace and defense contractor in Italy, will lose significant revenue sources after 2012 government defense spending budget cuts. Topics include international contracts, economic forecasting, and corporate restructuring. The chief executive officer of Finmeccanica, Giuseppe Orsi, is mentioned.

The article discusses the finances of the Italian aerospace conglomerate Finmeccanica, discussing the November 2011 release of third-quarter financial results and a corporate turnaround plan by chief executive Giuseppe Orsi. The article looks at issues including Finmeccanica's operating margins, relations with the Italian government, and sale by the operating division AgustaWestland. The article also looks at the restructuring of the company.

The article discusses changes made to the Italian aerospace and defense company Finmeccanica by chief executive officer Guiseppe Orsi. Orsi formerly worked for the helicopter group AgustaWestland, which experienced strong financial returns, and succeeds Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, who remains as the company chairman. The article argues that Finmeccania needs to cut operating costs, explore emerging markets, and manage its core business.

The article focuses on the European aerospace industries companies EADS and Finmeccanica. Corporate acquisitions by both companies and mergers of subsidiary corporations are examined in terms of efforts to consolidate their operations and reposition the companies in new markets. The acquisition of the firm Vector Aerospace by EADS and the management of the consolidation of the firm Selex Communications by Finmeccanica are cited.

The article discusses the Italian state-owned aerospace and defense company Finmeccanica and reforms it is undertaking to sustain profitability during difficult economic times. The possible extension of the term of Pier Francesco Guarguaglini as Finmeccanica's Chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) is discussed, while noting possible obstacles involving judicial inquiries and problems affecting the ruling party in Rome, Italy.

The article focuses on plans by the Italian Air Force (IAF) to replace its helicopter force and redefine its combat search-and-rescue missions. It states the IAF initially planned on upgrading its existing fleet of AugustaWestland AB-212s before replacing them with AW139s. It mentions the IAF plans on purchasing AW139s incrementally, similar to the procurement strategy used by the Italian Navy. It talks about added plans to purchase AugustaWestland AW101s for combat search-and-rescue missions.

The article discusses Italy's Finmeccanica company that conducts business in the aerospace, defense, and security industries. It describes a 5-year plan being established by chief executive officer (CEO) Pier Francesco Guarguaglini that will place more emphasis on international sales of aerospace and defense technology.

The article reports on the joint contract bid of the engineering firms Finmeccanica and EADS for the Advanced European Jet Pilot Training system (AEJPT) project being proposed through the European Defense Agency (EDA) in 2010. Details are given describing the aims and requirements of the program, noting the combined efforts of the firms to produce training jets for several European military centers.

The article discusses the Italian company Finmeccanica, its acquisition of DRS Technologies, and its hoped-for foray into the U.S. market for helicopters. It notes Finmeccanica's history of bidding on manufacture of the U.S. presidential helicopter. Also noted are the U.S. Navy's plans to replace the U.S. presidential VH-3D/VH-60N helicopter in 2017-23 and possible bidding strategies that Finmeccanica may use.

The article discusses how aerospace and defense company Finmeccaniica maintains its growth targets despite the slowdown in commercial aircraft and helicopter markets in 2009. It states that the company reported an increase in revenue but a flat net profit. It notes that the company's new-order intake grew 22 percent despite the slowdown in the commercial markets.

The article focuses on Gulf Satellites, a project in the United Arab Emirates aimed at developing a satellite surveillance constellation. The project is supported by 4C Controls, a U.S.-based startup. A constellation of four 1-meter-resolution radar satellites and at least one 50-centimeter optical spacecraft to serve local military and civil users will be developed under the project. Finmeccanica/Thales affiliate Telespazio has decided to help fund the project by taking a minority shareholding in 4C Controls.

The article considers the potential military projects of Finmeccanica in the U.S., Great Britain and Italy in 2009. The company expects the projects to continue driving strong growth. In March 2009, the Italian defense company posted a 19 percent increase in net profit to & euro;621 million in 2008. According to Finmeccanica Chairman/chief executive officer (CEO) Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and order guidelines for 2009-2010 will be adjusted upward.

The article deals with the acquisition of DRS Technologies by Finmeccanica. The ongoing global financial turmoil is forcing Finmeccanica to adjust its plans to acquire DRS Technologies, taking on more debt than anticipated and effectively freezing the prospects for another major transaction soon. The €3.4 billion ($4.5 billion) Finmeccanica has to raise will cause the company debt to swell to 51% from 21%.

The article reports that Finmeccanica is starting to more closely integrate its defense electronics activities, but a single operating unit will not emerge for some time because of residual problems with some of the businesses. Selex Galileo will be the core of Finmeccanica electronics operations, although for now it serves this purpose in name only. Two entities, Galileo Avionica in Italy and Selex in Great Britain will remain as operating entities.

The article reports on the unveiling of the Superjet 100, manufactured by Russia's Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. (SCAC) and Italy's Finmeccanica. Russian certification of the aircraft is due in 2008 and European Aviation Safety Agency type certification in the first half of 2009. For now, the focus for the two companies is getting the aircraft to first flight and then into the hands of launch customer Aeroflot in November 2008.

The article reports that Finmeccanica is expected to take control of Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems by the middle of 2007. Finmeccanica acquired 75% of Selex in 2005 under a put/call agreement with BAE Systems that allows the Italian aerospace and defense contractor to buy out the remaining 25% share of BAE. The price of the transaction, set two years ago, will be around €400 million.

The article provides information on a joint venture involving Finmeccanica and EADS. Gaining the upper hand in the joint venture has long been a Finmeccanica aspiration and the company's CEO Pier Francesco Guarguaglini says that not only is it a top agenda item in talks with his EADS counterparts, he is also optimistic that he will prevail. EADS and Finmeccanica talks are likely to concentrate on Italian participation in the A350 program.

The article reports that Finmeccanica is deciding whether to cut its stake in Avio engine and space company as part of the majority ownership transfer to private equity firm Cinven from the Carlyle Group. Aerospace giant Finmeccanica will resolve whether it will be able to stick to its plan to keep a minimum stake in Avio and use the financial resources generated by the deal to support acquisitions in what it considers core areas.

The article reports that the U.S.-based private equity, Carlyle Group wants to sell its 70% share to Italian engine and space company Avio before year-end. Carlyle is in discussion with two international investment funds, BC Partners and Cinven Ltd. in this regard. Finmeccanica will have to validate the deal, as it holds 30% of the shares in the company.

The article reports that Finmeccanica SpA is mapping a multi-path strategy that includes aggressive cost-cutting as well as efforts to expand its defense electronics empire through the possible acquisition of Sweden's Ericsson Microwave Systems AB. Finmeccanica SpA has about 2 billion euros to spend on such potential deals, including 900 million euros from the prospective sale of its remaining 6.6% stake in semiconductor giant STM. The company wants to cut operating costs and generate higher merger savings resulting from its acquisition spree in the past few years.

The article reports that Finmeccanica SpA's ambitions to grow its commercial aircraft business could get a big boost in coming months if management's plans, both public and closely held, come to fruition. First on the agenda is securing a stake for Finmeccanica's Alenia Aeronautica SpA unit in the Sukhoi-led Russian Regional Jet. By the end of the month, company officials hope to wrap up negotiations that could lead to a 25 percent stake (plus one share) for it in the Sukhoi civil business, called SCAC.

The article informs that Italian engine maker Avio SpA's prospects are improving just as the company heads toward a widely anticipated ownership realignment. The firm Carlyle Group owns 70% of Avio, while Finmeccanica SpA has 30%. Carlyle is expected to unload its share, while the Italian aerospace giant is assessing what parts it may want to keep. Late last month the company achieved an important developmental milestone with the test firing of the Zefiro 9 engine, slated for use as the third stage of Europe's new Vega launcher. Under particular scrutiny will be whether the thermal protection system performed as predicted and nozzle erosion was nominal.

This article reports that the European aerospace and defense giants EADS and Finmeccanica are seeing strong growth, but some trouble spots blur the outlook. During the first nine months of the fiscal year 2005, EADS has enjoyed overall positive indicators, with net cash topping 4.7 billion euros, revenue up 9% year-on-year to 23.5 billion euros, and new orders for the period up 88% to 38.8 billion. EADS competitor Finmeccanica also is benefiting from a strong market. For the year 2005, it expects a 20% increase on last year's 9.3-billion-euro revenue and anticipates further growth to meet its 12.2-billion-euro target for next year.

The article reports on the proposed sale of Dassault Group's shares in Thales SA. In this regard, it is reported that Finmeccanica SpA may soon be buying these share, as all three analyze likely French government moves and weapons sales. Dassault Aviation Chairman/CEO Charles Edelstenne said that the group intends to go ahead with the sale of its 5.7% Thales stake. However, unlike hints at the time by group Chairman Serge Dassault that the sale would be on the open market, Edelstenne insisted other options remain open, depending on opportunities.

The article focuses on Italy's aerospace and defense giant Finmeccanica SpA. Finmeccanica heads into the second phase of its restructuring plan bolstered by predictions of double-digit revenue growth in the next two years. Finmeccanica closed last year with 9.3 billion euros in revenue and, for 2005, expects an increase of more than 20%, to 11.2 billion euros, says company Chairman and CEO Pier Francesco Guarguaglini. Finmeccanica has streamlined several operations as part of its restructuring initiative. Finmeccanica is likely to remodel and rename the brand.

The article reports that Finmeccanica SpA has landed important contracts as part of its plan to achieve double-digit revenue growth this year. Finmeccanica also is seeing signs that its decision to take full control of the AgustaWestland Inc. joint venture is paying off. The British defense ministry has awarded the 300-million-pound SKIOS Phase 1--Sea King Integrated Operational Support--contract, covering various versions of the helicopter. The arrangement follows closely a British decision to have AgustaWestland provide a new-generation Lynx helo to the navy and the army.

This article reports that European consolidation in the defense electronics business is back in the pot following BAE Systems and Finmeccanica SpA abandoning efforts to cook up a joint company in the sector. Instead of the grandly titled Eurosystems covering joint BAE-Finmeccanica companies in four strategic areas, the two are now talking of selling off business units, and breaking up others. What was originally intended as the cornerstone of a wide-ranging strategic alliance is now reduced to the sale of BAE's radar and avionics business, along with the remainder of its communications unit to Finmeccanica. BAE and Finmeccanica began discussions in 2002, the original plan calling for setting up a command and control/intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance joint venture and an avionics company, pulling together BAE's British business with Finmeccanica's Galileo Avionica interests.

Alenia Aeronautica SpA CEO Giorgio Zappa said Alenia is considering a partnership along the lines of the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter program, with participating companies funding a share of the development phase including a low-rate initial production batch of 12-15 aircraft while being assured of retaining that role in production. The aircraft's targeted fly-away price is "less than $15 million. To comply with the program's anticipated tight schedule, agreements would have to be completed within the next 12 months, Italian industry officials say. Finmeccanica SpA's primary objective now is to secure a government commitment for the M-346, possibly under a private financing initiative.

Textron and Finmeccanica SpA are holding high-level discussions aimed at expanding cooperation in the rotary wing arena, in a move that could have enormous repercussions for the helicopter sector, as of February 19, 2004. Industrial sources say items being considered include closer cooperation beyond the companies existing joint venture, Bell/Agusta Aerospace Co. (BAAC) and the outright sale of Bell activities to Finmeccanica. Finmeccanica and Textron would be to expand BAAC activities into the light-single and twin area, in which both companies presently build separate models, or to the heavier end of the product line. Agusta already has a 75% share of the AB-139 helicopter and has raised its share in the BA609 civil tiltrotor program to 50%. But Finmeccanica also could choose to expand its U.S. presence through one of its American affiliates, Philadelphia-based Agusta Aerospace or AgustaWestland Inc., headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

Finmeccanica SpA says it has entered into exclusive talks with Alcatel to merge space businesses. Officials said a final accord could be reached as early as first-quarter 2004. Italian aerospace and defense conglomerate is turning to Alcatel, with which it has also held on-and-off talks in recent months. Alcatel, with 1.3 billion euros in annual space sales in satellite and payload manufacturing, is the bigger of the two. Finmeccanica also owns a space services company, Telespazio, with annual sales of 250 million euros.

BAE Systems PLC and Finmeccanica SpA have moved to build up key business sectors, while avoiding the pitfalls of traditional joint ventures, with the two finally inking an agreement intended to set a broad alliance in motion. BAE will be the majority shareholder in the C4ISR arena, with Finmeccanica taking the larger share in the other two joint ventures. AMS is currently a 50/50 joint venture between BAE and Finmeccanica, but the new structure will give BAE a controlling share, thought to be around 60%.

Finmeccanica SpA now foresees its strategic discussions with BAE Systems resulting in several specific joint ventures, rather than a jointly owned single defense electronics company. According to Italian industry sources, the first of these will be an avionics company consisting of some of BAE's avionics business combined with those of Finmeccanica subsidiary Galileo Avionica. A military communications company is also being planned, built around the core of Finmeccanica Marconi Selenia Communications. Finmeccanica still harbors ambitions of convincing BAE to establish an alliance in the aeronautical sector, with the Aermacchi M-346 advanced trainer as the cornerstone of the Italian industrial contribution.

Reports that Finmeccanica and Snecma are considering a joint bid to acquire FiatAvio to counter the attempts of the Carlyle Group to acquire the aerospace and naval engine maker, with the appearance of other contenders still possible. Reasons cited for Fiat group's decision to sell the engine company; Steps already taken by the Carlyle Group in this regard; Nature of the joint venture between Snecma and Finmeccanica.

Reports on Finmeccanica's consolidation of Italian aerospace/defense industry by its acquisition of 66.6 percent of stock in the parent company of Aermacchi, Aeronautica Macchi, in addition to the 27.4 percent it already owns. Financial position and performance of the Aermacchi; Major civil and military work undertaken by Aermacchi; Investment by Finmeccanica in external growth initiatives; Expectations of the company.

Reports on plans of BAE Systems and Finmeccanica to set up a joint defense electronics company as of February 14, 2003. Delay caused by questions from the Italian government's treasury department in the signing of memorandum of understanding; Provision of the joint venture; Expected time to be taken for completion of the due diligence phase; Terms mentioned in the letter of intent.

Focuses on the effort of Finmeccanica to complete its acquisition of a stake in Aermacchi in Italy. Percentage of stake in Aermacchi; Estimation of the amount Aermacchi's stake; Advantage of the acquisition.

Reports the expansion plan of Finmeccanica in the aerospace and defense sector in Italy. Aim to target acquisitions in Italy and abroad; Details about the aggressive strategy; Implementation of external growth policy.

Reports the rejection of Finmeccanica/Alenia Aeronautica for the 728/928 twinjets of Fairchild Dornier. Emphasis on non-interest of Alenia on Dornier's Airbus business; Reasons for abandoning the negotiations; Speculation of Alenia on resulting risks and profitability.

Reports the signing of agreement of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for the Joint Strike Fighter program in the U.S. Investment in the System Development and Demonstration multinational program; Leadership of Finmeccanica/Alenia Aeronautica in the airframe/avionics development; Support of the U.S. government on JSF-related contracts.