John Ferrie Named as Next Head of Aerospace
Smiths Industries PLC
6 March 2000
Smiths Industries names John Ferrie
as next head of Aerospace
Smiths Industries announced today that John Ferrie, 53, will succeed Norman
Barber as head of Smiths Industries Aerospace. Dr Ferrie will join the
company as an executive director on 10 April and will assume responsibility
for Aerospace activities at the end of the current financial year on 31 July,
following Norman Barber's retirement.
Dr. Ferrie joins Smiths Industries from Rolls-Royce plc where, since 1998, he
has been executive vice-president, business operations, Rolls-Royce Allison.
Employing 5,000 in Indianapolis, the business has worldwide responsibility for
propulsion of corporate and regional aircraft, helicopters and North American
military aircraft, with a turnover of more than $2 billion. He has been
responsible for restructuring the business operations of the Allison Engine
Company to align fully with Rolls Royce's global organisation.
Commenting on the appointment, Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, Chief Executive,
Smiths Industries said: 'Norman completes a hugely successful aerospace career
after establishing Smiths Industries Aerospace firmly in the first tier of the
avionics sector and doubling its profits. John comes with a track record of
raising operational effectiveness and a close involvement in the US market
where we do so much of our business. He is ready to lead Aerospace on to its
next stage of development.'
A Rolls-Royce employee since 1964, Dr. Ferrie's career has involved him in
progressively senior appointments in production, engineering, project
management and commercial activities. From 1993 he was Director -
Manufacturing for the company's Aerospace group, and from 1995 he was Managing
Director - Military Engines.
Dr. Ferrie, a UK citizen, holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering and completed
his Engineering Doctorate at Warwick University in 1998 based on his extensive
work in business process redesign.
He will relocate from Indianapolis to the UK and will be based at the Smiths
Industries Headquarters in north-west London.
Smiths Industries Aerospace is a world leader in advanced aerospace
electronics for military and civil aircraft. It has design, development and
manufacturing facilities in the UK and the United States and includes Airbus,
BAE Systems, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, the US Department of Defense and the UK
Ministry of Defence among its major customers. Last year, Smiths Industries
Aerospace earned profits of £99m ($160m) on sales of £529m ($856m). In
addition to Aerospace, Smiths Industries is a technology leader in medical
systems and specialised industrial products.
Further information:
Russell Plumley office: +44 (0)20 8457 8203
home:+44 (0)20 8992 9751
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