Amsterdam, 20
December
2006
The EADS Board of Directors has appointed Alain Garcia (63), Head of Engineering of Airbus, as a member of the Executive Committee of Airbus. The Board of Directors has also appointed Harald Wilhelm (40) as Chief Controlling Officer (CCO) of Airbus and member of the Executive Committee of Airbus. Harald Wilhelm is also deputy of the Chief Financial Officer of Airbus.
“Airbus is facing enormous challenges in terms of cost reduction and innovation. Alain Garcia is one of our top specialists in engineering and innovation and it is important that engineering is present as such in the Airbus Executive Committee. Harald Wilhelm, who has developed the Power8 recovery programme has all our authority and empowerment for the full implementation of our restructuring plan confirmed by this promotion to the Airbus EC ”, said Airbus and EADS CEO Louis Gallois.
Alain Garcia has been Head of Engineering at Airbus since January 2001. Under his stewardship of engineering design work for the A340 Family and the A380, Airbus has selected innovative technologies for use in the development of large passenger aircraft. These aircraft and the technologies used in them are now setting the global standard in safety, performance, comfort and reliability. From January 1997 to December 2000 Alain Garcia was Senior Vice President Engineering at Airbus.
Before his new position Harald Wilhelm had been Head of Financial Control at Airbus since March 2003. He has particularly played a key role in the recent development of the “Power 8” recovery programme of Airbus. From January 2001 to February 2003 Harald Wilhelm was Head of Accounting & Tax at Airbus.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of € 34.2 billion and employed a workforce of about 113,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.
