Gulfstream Expanding Its Savannah Site

/PRNewswire/ -- Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today announced that it will expand its Savannah facilities through a $500-million, seven-year plan to ensure that the company is well-positioned to meet future demand for business-jet aircraft and support services. The growth is expected to result in 1,000 additional Gulfstream jobs, an increase of more than 15 percent from Gulfstream's current Savannah employment level of approximately 5,500 employees.

"With our own sales trends and market forecasts suggesting an upturn over the next decade, we want to ensure Gulfstream is well-positioned to meet the demand in terms of products and services," said Joe Lombardo, president, Gulfstream. "We are already beginning to see signs of a modest recovery. In the third quarter of 2010, we booked more orders than we had in any quarter since the downturn began in mid-2008. Furthermore, as flying hours have increased, Gulfstream service centers have enjoyed a significant increase in service volume."

"This expansion is necessary to meet the projected increase for new business-jet aircraft and the maintenance that will follow," Lombardo said.

In the presence of state and local dignitaries, including Gov. Sonny Perdue, Gulfstream's Savannah employees learned that the expansion would include building new facilities at the northwest quadrant of the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, renovating several existing facilities on the main campus off Gulfstream Road and expanding office and lab facilities at the Gulfstream Research Development Center in Crossroads Business Park.

During the event, Gov. Perdue said, "Gulfstream is the world standard in business aviation, and we're proud that the company the world looks to for the best business jets is based right here in Georgia." He continued, "The expansion of Gulfstream's facilities will have a major impact on both the state and local economies by creating 1,000 new full-time jobs, not to mention the ripple effects in terms of construction and service workers, as well."

The new positions are expected to include production specialists, engineers, and support technicians.

"The effect this initiative will have is very simple," Lombardo said. "It's jobs for 'G-A.' That means good, high-tech jobs for Georgia. Jobs for Gulfstream Aerospace. And jobs for general aviation, a vital aspect of this nation's industrial base."

First opened in 1967, Gulfstream's Savannah headquarters includes initial-phase manufacturing of five aircraft models: the Gulfstream G650, G550, G500, G450 and G350. The site also includes the largest of the company's five final-phase manufacturing facilities and the largest of Gulfstream's 10 service centers.

Gulfstream announced a $300 million expansion of its Savannah facility in March 2006 and later increased it to $400 million. That expansion was completed in 2009 and included the development of the largest general aviation aircraft maintenance facility in the world; the Nicholas D. Chabraja Manufacturing Facility for the assembly of the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650; a state-of-the-art, three-bay final phase paint facility; and a 300,000-square-foot Research and Development Center. In addition, Gulfstream met its commitment to hire 1,100 new employees as part of that expansion.

"While Gulfstream's international presence has grown, we are committed to Georgia and Savannah," Lombardo said. "And we certainly appreciate the efforts of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Savannah Economic Development Authority, Chatham County, the city of Savannah and the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in supporting this expansion."

Gulfstream will utilize the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design (LEED) program to implement sustainable design and construction elements into its projects. In choosing contractors and subcontractors for the expansion, Gulfstream will continue its existing policy of providing opportunities to regional small, minority-owned, disadvantaged, veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran businesses.

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MAC Honors Top Supply Chain Performers at Fourth Annual Awards

Supply Chain Professional of the Year, Warren Jones of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; Supply Chain Company of the Year, Servigistics

The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) awarded the Supply Chain Professional of the Year to Warren Jones, aviation development manager for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and the Supply Chain Company of the Year award to Servigistics during a breakfast at the 2010 Supply Chain Forum on Nov. 15.

"The supply chain industry drives metro Atlanta's economy," said Chris Gaffney, president of Coca-Cola Supply, LLC and chair of MAC's Supply Chain Leadership Council. "We are excited to recognize these great leaders and innovative companies that are located in our region. Metro Atlanta has the nation's fifth-largest concentration of supply chain companies with more than 132,000 jobs."

Atlanta is the business and distribution center of the Southeast, and its global access, innovation and talent create an unparalleled logistics network for companies that demand efficient, predictable and consistent global supply chain operations to accelerate growth.

This is the fourth year for the awards, which were created to recognize outstanding individuals and companies in metro Atlanta whose actions have advanced the state of the supply chain industry and promoted its continued growth. This year's theme was "Supply Chain Outlook - Trends and Issues 2011 and Beyond."

Supply Chain Company of the Year, Servigistics

Servigistics is a privately held company headquartered in Atlanta, with regional headquarters in the UK, Japan, and India, and sales and service professionals around the world.

Over the past two years, Servigistics has experienced unprecedented growth as a company. In 2009, Marlin Equity Partners, known for creating market-leading software solution companies, merged industry leaders Servigistics and Click Commerce's Service Network Solutions (SNS) division. In 2010, Servigistics acquired Kaidara Software.

Today, Servigistics is the only enterprise software solution provider for Service Lifecycle Management (SLM). The company's awarded-winning SLM solutions suite enables market-leading companies across diverse industries to successfully execute and service- led growth strategy that delivers value across the entire global service supply chain.

Recent awards include:

· Named one of the Top 20 Supply Chain Management Software Suppliers (Modern Material Handling's 9th Annual Survey of leading SCM Suppliers)

· Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Company

· Inbound Logistics Top 100 Logistics IT Company

· Deloitte Technology Fast 500

· Atlanta Business Chronicle Pace Setters Award

· Atlanta Metro Chamber Global Impact Award Finalist

Finalists for Supply Chain Company of the Year included Fortna Inc. and Insight Sourcing Group.

Supply Chain Professional of the Year, Warren Jones
Warren Jones is the aviation development manager for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and began his aviation career in 1996 with Martinair Cargo in the sales division. In 1999, he joined Chapman-Freeborn Air Chartering as the sales manager for the Southeast region, and in 2004, Jones joined Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

In addition to his duties at the world's busiest airport, Jones is a part-time professor at Georgia State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he teaches aviation-focused courses.

Jones is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a concentration in Aerospace Administration, and holds a master's in aviation management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

Jones was instrumental in Atlanta winning the bid to host The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) International Air Cargo Forum & Exhibition in 2012. And during his tenure Atlanta has been selected by Air Cargo Week as Air Cargo Airport of the Year, for the last two years.

Finalists for Supply Chain Professional of the Year included Rob Doyle, president of Amware Logistics Services; and John A. White III, president of Fortna Inc.

In 2003, the Metro Atlanta Chamber established a logistics cluster economic development initiative, and the Atlanta Logistics Innovation Council to leverage and grow this industry. Since 2003, the Chamber recruited companies that created more than 6,900 supply chain and logistics jobs and established direct air cargo service with China. The initiative won an international best-practice award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in 2006 for its strategy to grow this sector. In 2009, as part of our continued evolution, we adopted a new vision, mission and new council name -- The Supply Chain Leadership Council.

The Fifth Annual Supply Chain Forum is hosted by the Supply Chain Leadership Council in partnership with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Atlanta Roundtable. For more information visit http://supplychain.metroatlantachamber.com.
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NBAA Honors Governor Perdue with American Spirit Award

Characterizes those who created, advanced the American aviation community

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced that Governor Sonny Perdue has been named the recipient of the 2010 American Spirit Award at NBAA’s 63rd Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2010) in Atlanta.

The NBAA American Spirit Award is presented in recognition of an individual who exemplifies the service, courage and pursuit of excellence in support of business aviation that characterizes the men and women who created and advanced the American aviation community. The Governor was presented the award during this morning’s opening general session of the convention, which draws 25,000 aviation professionals and enthusiasts from across the world to the Georgia World Congress Center.

“Governor Perdue has two great passions – aviation and the state of Georgia – and has spent many years tirelessly supporting and nurturing the development of both,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “NBAA is proud to include him among the speakers at our convention’s opening general session, and also to honor him with the American Spirit Award for his dedication to all aviation, including business aviation.”

In 2007, Governor Perdue addressed attendees at the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, also in Atlanta, welcoming the crowd to “the real state of aviation,” and proudly detailed Georgia’s long list of aviation superlatives, including the state’s role as home to the eighth-largest general aviation industry in the nation, with many thousands of people employed at more than 500 aerospace and aviation companies.

“NBAA applauds Governor Perdue for recognizing the value of business aviation, to citizens, companies and communities across Georgia,” Bolen added. “The Governor has long understood that the use of a business airplane helps promote the creation of jobs, provides service to small communities and helps companies of all sizes in the state compete and succeed. We thank Governor Perdue for his steadfast support for business aviation, and the many benefits it brings to the State of Georgia.”

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the NBAA is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

Past honorees of the NBAA American Spirit Award have included such aviation notables and pioneers as John and Martha King, founders of the King Schools, Inc., and Rep. John Mica (R-7-FL). For more information about the Convention's 2010 programming, visit NBAA's dedicated AM&C web page at http://www.nbaa.org/2010.

Three Aerospace Companies Announce New Georgia Projects

Governor Sonny Perdue welcomed three economic development announcements made Monday from the Dubai Airshow that continue to strengthen Georgia’s reputation as a global center for the aviation industry.

“Each of these three announcements illustrate a key aspect of our economic development strategy – location of a new U.S. headquarters in Georgia, an existing company expanding its current workforce and an Atlanta-based business selling its products to overseas customers,” Governor Perdue said. “

Star Navigation Systems Group Ltd., a leading-edge aerospace technology company with a revolutionary new product, will establish its United States headquarters in Atlanta. The company will invest an estimated $1 million in its new location and will create up to 20 jobs over the next 36 months.

Zodiac Services Americas LLC is expanding its College Park location, adding up to 26 jobs by the end of 2010 to its current 120-member Georgia workforce. Zodiac Services Americas LLC is the U.S.-based customer services and support branch of Zodiac Aerospace and provides distribution of parts as well as repair and overhaul (MRO) functions for Zodiac Aerospace commercial aviation, helicopter, business and general aviation customers.

Also, Jetaire Group, an industry leader in complete avionics and electrical systems solutions, has completed its first sale of an innovative product that can keep auxiliary aircraft fuel tanks from igniting. Saudi Arabian major conglomerate Dallah Albaraka is the first company to receive and implement Jetaire’s ground breaking solution that reduces the complexity and cost for transport airplanes that must meet an FAA mandate (SFAR 88) to install such equipment by December 16, 2009.

Star Navigation

Star Navigation, based in Toronto, Canada, has developed the world’s first system to monitor in-flight data, analyze that data for potential problems and transmit the results to a ground operator in real time. This in-flight safety monitoring system, called STAR - ISMS TM represents a breakthrough in air safety technology. Airplane “black boxes,” as they are popularly known, provide historic, not real-time, data, whereas the STAR - ISMSTM continuously monitors selected avionics systems on the aircraft as it flies, instantly analyzes the data, and transmits that data and any incident alerts via satellite to the operator. It effectively acts as an early warning system, detecting the earliest signs of potential problems while an aircraft is still in flight.

From its Atlanta headquarters, the company will primarily target commercial and defense applications for its product, with a secondary focus on ancillary tracking and communications solutions for rotary wing and light commercial aircraft as well as marine uses.

“Georgia is ideally situated to help us market STAR - ISMS TM to our U.S., Central and South American markets, which are easily accessible through Hartsfield Atlanta Airport,” said Viraf Kapadia, chairman & CEO of Star Navigation Systems. “I look forward to building on the great relationships we’ve established with the Georgia business community as our company continues to build its presence here.”

The announcement followed a meeting between Mr. Kapadia and Governor Perdue at the Dubai Airshow. Governor Perdue is leading a Georgia delegation to the Dubai Airshow, the largest aviation event in the world’s fastest-growing region, to strengthen ties to both potential investors into the state and new customers for Georgia’s exporters.

Zodiac Services Americas LLC

The additional employment opportunities at Zodiac Services Americas LLC will take place in a 104,000-square-foot space the company has recently leased for an eight-year period at one of its two College Park facilities, each of which currently employ approximately sixty people. Zodiac Aerospace will work with the Georgia Department of Labor in the hiring process, which has already begun with the addition of six people in October 2009, and will continue through May 2010.

“We looked at other locations, but Georgia was the right choice to expand our client services and grow our business,” said Lou Perdoni, CEO Zodiac Services Americas, LLC. “The proximity Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport gives us to support our various client base is unbeatable, and will help increase our access to potential revenue sources.”

The Governor announced the expansion after meeting with Zodiac Aerospace Group Director Pierre-Antony Vastra. A delegation from the Georgia Allies, Georgia’s public-private partnership supporting economic development in the state, visited Zodiac Aerospace at its Paris headquarters in October.

Project Manager Carter Wood assisted Zodiac Aerospace with its expansion on behalf of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Jetaire Group

Jetaire has engineered and installed its product for the first time working with The Dallah Albaraka Group to modify a Boeing 727 with Rogerson auxiliary tanks.

Faisal Haddadin, Advisor to the Chairman of Dallah Flight Operations, said: “We were diligent in exploring a number of options for our modification, and the Jetaire solution exceeded the criteria as the most cost-effective and efficient that we have seen. By simultaneously satisfying our requirements and the regulatory mandates, Jetaire saved us both money and down time. Jetaire’s ability to deliver value, quality and exceed requirements was a major consideration for Dallah.”

The FAA’s Airworthiness Directive (AD) requires that all affected auxiliary fuel tanks, including most systems manufactured by ATS, PATS and Rogerson, be upgraded to meet new safety guidelines. Typical solutions address either Phase I, requiring significant reductions in ignition sources; Phase II, which mandates substantial reduction in flammability; or Phase III, which, requires additional lightning protection.

However, Jetaire has developed a more affordable, single-phased approach to the multiphase requirements, received its Supplemental Type Certification (STC), and moved beyond retrofitting into manufacturing. Its auxiliary fuel system is fully compliant with SFAR 88 requirements. The company’s solution addresses its customers’ need for extended range flights, simultaneous satisfaction of the AD’s three phases, cost efficiency in both money and time, the highest standard of protection, retention of passenger space and reduction of installation downtime.

“Jetaire understands the complex requirements of the directive, and our experts have created a seamless solution with no potential failure modes and a certified 14-year service life,” said Michael Williams, president of Jetaire and a member of the International Fire Protections Working Group. “Georgia’s business climate and resources have supported our company’s research and development of this solution, and provide a great marketing platform as well.”

In addition to a large number of certifications, Jetaire also holds 20 other Supplemental Type Certifications (STCs) for smoke detection and fire suppression in business and commercial aircraft. Jetaire is the first company to certify for commercial use an explosion suppressant currently used by the military to protect the most advanced tactical fighter aircraft. The company is now developing structural corrections to B737 aircraft that have PATS tanks requiring deactivation according to the FAA’s Airworthiness Directive.

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