Canberra - 24 June 2010: The Raytheon Industry Development Unit (IDU) has successfully completed the program’s second major customer Program Management Review with the Defence Materiel Organisation’s Industry Division expressing its satisfaction with the Unit’s progress. The IDU was first launched in July last year when Raytheon Australia became amongst the first in the industry to sign a Global Supply Chain Deed with the DMO.

In the past nine months support provided by Raytheon’s IDU has ensured 12 contracts for Australian companies with Raytheon’s US based businesses worth over A$50 million.

This means that Australian companies are now well integrated into Raytheon's global supply chain for programs as complex and diverse as the Patriot Air and Missile Defence System, the Zumwalt Class Destroyer, emergency services communications and biometrics products.

The number of companies registering with the IDU has now grown to 185, of which there are 46 companies actively involved in marketing, bidding or in contract with US programs. It is also worthy of note that Australian firms supplying to Raytheon Company business units in the United States are regarded as performing at the top of the Raytheon supply chain in terms of quality.

Mr Michael Ward, Managing Director of Raytheon Australia, expressed the company’s support for government efforts to promote the involvement of SME’s in the global supply chains of international defence companies and pledged Raytheon Australia’s continued focus on this important area.

“I am delighted that the recent achievements of Raytheon’s IDU have exceeded all expectations and recommit Raytheon Australia to supporting local SME’s and our growing Australian defence industry,” Mr Ward said.

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With facilities located across the country, Raytheon Australia is a highly capable prime contractor with an engineering and technical workforce of 1300 backed by world-class management and quality systems. This local presence is bolstered by strong relationships with small and medium sized enterprises and access to the global resources of Raytheon Company.
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2009 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 88 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 75,000 people worldwide.

Contact:
Gerry Wheeler
0439 501 327
gerard.wheeler@raytheon.com.au