People can sometimes point to an event in their professional lives that stands apart from all others. It’s a moment in time that forces them to stop and say, “Wow! This is big.” Today is that moment for me.
I’ve been with Rockwell Collins for more than 30 years and am proud to have been its CEO for the last five. As of today, Rockwell Collins is part of United Technologies Corporation. We have officially merged with UTC Aerospace Systems to create a new industry leader.
Collins Aerospace.
I’m convinced that Collins Aerospace is a very special organization that will redefine the aerospace industry. That’s a bold statement, so let me explain.
Global competition in the aerospace industry is growing in intensity. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and airlines are demanding—with an intensity that I’ve never seen before—increasing speed, agility and value from their suppliers. This expectation is changing the way our industry works. Aerospace suppliers and even OEMs are merging and partnering to deliver sophisticated solutions with greater scale and scope.
At Collins Aerospace, we want to lead the way in delivering on these expectations for speed, agility and value, so we’re redefining the aerospace industry by:
Combining the strengths of two of aerospace’s leading innovators
Solutions to some of the most complex challenges require a certain intellectual critical mass. And the ability to deliver disruptive innovation depends on having the financial means to invest considerable resources in research and development. Collins Aerospace is now one of the largest aerospace industry suppliers in the world with $23 billion* in net sales, $3.1 billion** invested annually in R&D and more than 70,000 employees in nearly 300 sites globally. Between the two founding companies, Collins Aerospace has more than 165 years of industry experience.
Delivering the industry’s most advanced products and services portfolio
Collins Aerospace enables high-integrity solutions across commercial, business, and defense spheres. Consider the future of the intelligent aviation and defense ecosystem. Few companies touch more components of this ecosystem—or have more opportunities to architect intelligent, interconnected systems that design-in performance and design-out cost—than Collins Aerospace. Likewise, a new aviation data-driven business model will soon enable airlines to access their data that’s delivered over our high-assurance global networks. For the first time, our customers will be able to easily manipulate this data for operational and market advantage. And whether it’s airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; blended live and virtual training; or a ground-air network tailorable to mission needs, Collins Aerospace is committed to delivering strategic advantage in the battlespace of the future.
Bringing together top talent to solve the world’s most complex challenges
In my experience, nothing excites an engineer like the words “complex challenge.” This is what engineers live for. And this is the opportunity that Collins Aerospace brings our 16,000-member engineering workforce every day. We’re leveraging the deep expertise of talented people who can now cross-collaborate to deliver innovation throughout a growing and dynamic industry. And in the process, we’re enabling brilliant minds to reach the peak of their careers that make a difference like few others.
I’m convinced that the legacy of innovation forged by the hands of industry giants like Thomas Hamilton, David Sundstrand, Benjamin Goodrich and Arthur Collins is the perfect DNA for Collins Aerospace.
Today, we begin an exciting journey toward what I believe will be a global success story. I can’t wait to see what’s just over the horizon.
Watch us redefine aerospace!
* 2017 Pro Forma
** 2017 Pro Forma; customer and company funded
