Robert (Bob) Stevens, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lockheed Martin was in Australia on March 30, 2009 and met with Marand Precision Engineering ’s senior management team including David Ellul, Managing Director and Rohan Stocker, General Manager.
The discussion centred around Marand Precision Engineering’s future plans and aspirations with regards to continuing business with Lockheed Martin. As the senior Lockheed Martin executive, Robert Stevens leads the largest defence contracting company by revenue, in 2008 sales were US$42.7 billion and Lockheed Martin employs around 150,000 people worldwide.
Lockheed Martin is responsible for the next (5th) generation stealth defence aircraft the F-35 Lightening II Joint Strike Fighter. Deliveries of this aircraft are due to commence in 2010 and go beyond 2030. It is anticipated that Australia will sign up for the aircraft alongside other nations such as the US and the UK, Turkey and a number of European countries.
Marand precision Engineering were the first company to receive a contract for the design and development of ground support equipment for the JSF program in 2003. Since then they have delivered a number of these engine installation and removal trailers as part of the contract with Lockheed Martin, and Marand precision Engineering have continuing orders for these into the future.
In addition, Marand Precision Engineering have been contracted to supply other equipment for the program including tooling for the manufacture of advanced composite parts. While, at Marand, Robert Stevens took the opportunity to personally present Marand with a plaque commemorating their work with the F-35 program, in appreciation of the F-35 Program, control surface and edge tooling initiative and the support of Lockheed Martin Palmdale site operations.
David Ellul reinforced the commitment of Marand Precision Engineering to the F-35 Lightening II Joint Strike Fighter Program. Marand Precision Engineering success on the program so far have given them the confidence to invest in Marand Precision Engineering’s processes, equipment and employees.