Gregoire ends successful day at Paris Air Show, Dassault Systemes announces plans to bolster WA operations

For Immediate Release: June 21, 2011

Gov. Chris Gregoire today, following her second day at the Paris Air Show, shared that after a face-to-face meeting with executives at Dassault Syst�mes, the company announced plans to bolster its United States west coast operations, signing a lease for 11,000 square feet of space in the West Lake Union Center. The new office, which will open later this year, will function as a hub for Dassault Syst�mes� 90 current full- and part-time employees in the Northwest and for anticipated additional engineering staff in the future.

�This announcement proves Dassault Syst�mes� commitment to Washington state, and it�s desire to grow and expand here,� Gregoire said. �And it means new, good-paying jobs in the future. Washington�s strength beyond aerospace in sectors like biotechnology and automotive and its culture of innovation continue to attract the best technology companies and workers in the world.�

Dassault Systemes is a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management solutions with offices across the world. It provides services to Northwest giants like Boeing, REI, Fred Meyer and PACCAR.

�We�re not only committed to providing best-in-class software to our clients, but best-in-class customer service as well,� said Al Bunshaft, Managing Director of Dassault Syst�mes Americas. �Our centralized operations in the Northwest will help reinforce Dassault Syst�mes� already strong local connections, and we�re enthusiastic about the collaboration and energy that will be fostered as our Seattle employees interact each day in a state-of-the-art office space located in one of the nation�s key technology areas.�

Also today, Gregoire celebrated with executives of Heath Tecna, and joined them to announce a new contract with Austrian Airlines to upgrade and reconfigure six Boeing 767-300 and four Boeing 777-200 cabin interiors as part of the airline�s plans to meet the changing requirements of international customers. The contract supports about 75 new jobs for the Bellingham-based company.

�Heath Tecna has a long history of innovation and leadership in Washington�s aerospace sector and I congratulate them on this great news with Austrian Air that will retain and create new jobs here,� said Gregoire. �Our state�s highly skilled aerospace workers are one of our greatest assets. I�m proud to have partnered with Heath Tecna to provide funding through our Workforce Investment Act that provided specialized training to Heath Tecna employees. Having those specialized skills will continue to attract new business to the company � ultimately creating even more jobs.�

Additionally, Boeing announced it will host the Aerospace and Defense Supplier Summit next March at the Seattle Convention Center, the first international event of its kind in the United States. The show, organized by BCI Aerospace, will put Washington state aerospace supply companies on center stage and connect them with manufacturers and suppliers from major global aerospace and defense industries. The event is designed to create business opportunities and share knowledge.

�The aerospace industry is facing unprecedented demand and opportunity in the coming years,� said Stan Deal, vice president and general manager of Supplier Management for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. �The Aerospace and Defense Supplier Summit provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for suppliers to engage with major partners of The Boeing Company and make connections that can expand their business and technology reach.�

A total of 600 businesses and 1,200 individuals are expected to participate, exchanging ideas and exploring potential partnerships. The summit will include face-to-face meetings between companies with mutual interests.

�Selection of Seattle by the international organizers to be the first US site for this event sends another strong signal to the world that Washington state is the focal point for American aerospace innovation and production,� said Gregoire. �Other regions are growing and developing their aerospace clusters, but we already have a critical mass of what the industry needs right here - with 650 supply chain companies, nearly 84,000 of the most experienced aerospace workers, leading researchers and a diverse portfolio of industry-driven education and training programs.�

�National Precision Bearing Group, of Mechatronics Inc., was founded 30 years ago to support the Washington state aerospace industry,� said Mechatronics President Kent Ross. �As a past participant in similar global supplier events, we have experienced first-hand the benefits of the business-to-business format. The opportunity to interface directly with prospective customer key decision makers is invaluable. We highly recommend other aerospace companies join us at the Aerospace and Defense Supplier Summit in Seattle.�

Gregoire today continued to promote Washington state�s aerospace supply companies to international plane manufacturers, including Airbus and Bombardier. Gregoire also conducted face-to-face meetings with executives at Umbra Cuscinetti, SAFRAN and GE Aviation.

Gregoire wraps up her time in Paris tomorrow, when she�ll connect Washington automotive supply companies with key European car manufacturers like Peugeot and Renault � encouraging these manufacturers to look at Washington state companies for innovative vehicle technology. Gregoire will also hold key meetings to promote and expand the state�s life sciences and green energy industries. Additionally, she�ll join leaders of Tridec, the economic development council in the Tri-Cities, in a meeting with AREVA to discuss possible expansion in Washington state.

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