Communications

Turin, 12-13September 2008
 
"The era of complex markets - conditions for growth in defence and high-tech industries".


On September 12-13, an international convention entitled "The era of complex markets - conditions for growth in defence and high-tech industries" is being held at the "Venaria Reale" ex-royal palace near Turin. The conference has been organized by Finmeccanica and Alenia Aeronautica in collaboration with ASD (Aerospace & Defence Industries Association of Europe) and AIAD (Association of Industries for Aerospace and Defence Systems).


The event brings together top managers from the aerospace and defence industries, together with political figures and international representatives from civil and military organisations.
 
Now in its sixth edition, the convention - which also coincides with the 60th anniversary of Finmeccanica's foundation - sets out to analyse the prospects of the aerospace industry within the framework of the main structural and economic trends of the international system.
 
Globalization is not standardizing the conditions in which the industry operates but is, instead, lowering the barriers for entrance into the market for new competitors and defining new dynamics for operators in the sector. This entails searching for new solutions in order to maintain competitiveness and the ability to play a role in the markets.
 
The process of globalization and restructuring suppliers' networks is already underway. In order to deal with this challenge, the close links between research, technological areas, universities and innovation centres are becoming more and more important as an investment for the future.
 
This process, especially in Italy, could be greatly strengthened by exploiting all the possible synergies and economies of scale, including the opportunities offered by the European Union.
 
The Piedmont area has close links with Alenia Aeronautica and the Finmeccanica Group, and with the aerospace industry in general. For example, on January 13, 1909, an Italian plane - a triplane designed by Aristide Faccioli - flew for the first time in the grounds of the Venaria Reale palace.
 
To celebrate this historical event, two exhibitions have been set up alongside the conference at the "Venaria Reale" palace, devoted to the evolution of aeronautics and advanced technology in Italy. The first, "100 years of Italian flight in Piedmont", includes historical planes and several important original aeronautics projects.


The second, "A legacy for the future", is a travelling exhibition to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Finmeccanica Group. It provides an overview of the aeronautics world, including defence, technology, transport and security systems, reflecting the evolution of high-tech industries in Italy.
 
The two exhibitions are open to the public until September 21.