Thales Australia and Winchester Australia have signed a strategic teaming agreement to cooperate on Australian market opportunities.
With complementary backgrounds and capabilities, the partnership combines the strengths of two of the leading names in Australian munitions and creates numerous avenues for productive collaboration.
This local partnership reflects the global strengths of two companies with significant international operations and expertise. Thales’s munitions operations in Europe include Thales Advanced Weapon Systems, Thales Missile Electronics, a 45% stake in fuzes specialist Junghans Microtec, plus TDA Armements and Forges de Zeebrugge (FZ).
Winchester Ammunition, a division of Olin Corporation, has been manufacturing ammunition for more than a century, and is one of the world's most recognisable and respected brands. In addition to its commercial products, Winchester has been providing ammunition to the US military since World War I, and operates two major US manufacturing facilities.
Winchester Australia has a manufacturing and distribution facility in Geelong, Victoria, and has been a supplier of ammunition and firearms to defence and law enforcement agencies in Australia since 1967.
The new agreement between Thales Australia and Winchester Australia builds on an existing relationship of mutual supply and production collaboration.
The two companies will immediately focus on opportunities in both the defence and non-defence markets. Beyond this, the agreement enables Thales to develop more cost effective solutions for key products currently supplied to the Department of Defence under existing contracts.
Chris Jenkins, Thales Australia’s CEO, said: “Winchester is one of the world’s leading small arms businesses, with an unrivalled pedigree in small arms ammunition stretching back to its founding in the US almost 150 years ago. We firmly believe that our two companies have much to offer our customers by working together.”
Clive Pugh, Winchester Australia’s Director and General Manager, said: “The opportunity to assist Thales develop defence and commercial markets is a very exciting step for us. There is a strong complementary fit between our operations and we are looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”
About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader for the Defence & Security and the Aerospace & Transport markets. In 2011, the company generated revenues of €13 billion (equivalent of AUD 17.5 billion) with 67,000 employees in 56 countries. With its 22,500 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers and local partners.
Thales Australia is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force and is also present in commercial sectors ranging from air traffic management to security systems and services. Employing around 3,300 people in over 35 sites across the country, Thales Australia recorded revenues of more than AUD 962 million in 2011.
About Winchester Australia
Winchester Australia was established in 1967 and has a strong reputation for quality and service in its markets and is committed to an ongoing investment in Australia. A wholly owned subsidiary of Olin Corporation USA, Winchester Australia is the only division of the worldwide Winchester group that acts as a distributor in its own right covering the Australian and New Zealand markets. Winchester Australia is also responsible for sales territories for Australian and US manufactured product that extends to Japan, Asia and Europe.
The Winchester brand is recognised for quality and technical merit and the Australian produced product has been recognised as some of the best in the world. Winchester Australia has capacity to produce shotshell, rimfire and centrefire products in a range of specifications. Winchester Australia markets and sells a range of ammunition, firearms and shooting accessories to the retail, defence and law enforcement markets, including the Australian Defence Force, State, Territory and Federal police agencies and other security based businesses. www.winchesteraustralia.com.au
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