WARSAW, Poland, Dec. 10, 1996 -- During a ceremony held today to open McDonnell Douglas' office in Warsaw, company officials announced that McDonnell Douglas will place final assembly of the F/A-18 Hornet in Poland, should the country decide to procure the strike fighter for its air force.
"This new office represents our corporation's long-term commitment to Poland and to assisting the country achieve its industrial and economic development objectives," said Bud Mitchell, vice president for F/A-18 international market development.
The Warsaw office is headed by Bruce K. Fasterling, former U.S. Navy pilot and McDonnell Douglas business development manager.
Nicholas Rey, U.S. ambassador to Poland, took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
"Polish industry has a long and proud aerospace heritage and a substantial technology base," Mitchell said. "We are honored to have an opportunity to work in alliance with Poland to further expand its industrial capabilities and to enhance the nation's global competitiveness."
In addition to committing to place final assembly in Poland, McDonnell Douglas has completed its survey of Polish industry as part of its efforts to develop an industrial participation program with the country. The survey included companies from the agricultural, aerospace, defense, energy and environmental industries.
Mitchell said McDonnell Douglas will model its industrial participation proposal to Poland after successful industrial partnership arrangements with other international Hornet customers.
"The work we intend to place in Poland will help launch the Polish aerospace industry into the same category as the Finnish and Swiss aerospace industries," he said.
McDonnell Douglas also is looking at a number of technology collaboration projects with Polish industry. This week, company officials delivered a technology presentation to the Polish Aviation Institute and met with representatives of the Ministries of Trade and Defence to continue discussions on the country's long-term industrial and economic development goals.
"The foundation we are building today will serve to expand McDonnell Douglas' strategic alliance with Polish industry well beyond the scope of the Hornet program," Mitchell said.
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