December 4, 2009 – EADS Defence & Security, SGL Rotec – a joint venture of SGL Group (51 %) and Abeking & Rasmussen Schiffs- und Yachtwerft (49 %) – and Premium Aerotec GmbH have together developed a scheme to safeguard the Lemwerder site over the long term. The three companies announced their decision following a meeting of the Economic Committee of ASL Aircraft Services Lemwerder GmbH (ASL) on Friday. In particular, the scheme will help safeguard the jobs of the Lemwerder workforce over the long term. It comprises the measures set out below.

ASL‘s operative business will be transferred to Premium Aerotec GmbH. Details of the transfer will be worked out in close consultation with workforce representatives.

The SGL Group plans to develop the Lemwerder site into a global technology and manufacturing center for wind turbine blades to safeguard its future as a high-tech location. The aim is to establish SGL Rotec as a leading manufacturer of rotor blades in lengths of over 60 meters. With SGL Rotec expecting new orders for the supply of rotor blades for wind energy plants, this will require a substantial expansion of the Lemwerder site and involve the acquisition of ASL’s entire land and buildings. SGL Rotec, which has already purchased parts of the Lemwerder site, now leases and uses some of the halls. The expansion of the Lemwerder site will provide its workforce with long-term opportunities in the growing market for wind energy plants.

As Bernhard Gerwert, Head of Military Air Systems, a business area of EADS Defence & Security, commented on the planned measures: "Our scheme is aimed at safeguarding Lemwerder jobs for the future. With the SGL Group, we have a strong partner ready to expand in the high-potential technology sector of wind energy plants." Following the takeover by Premium Aerotec, ASL employees will be offered new jobs by EADS Deutschland GmbH, SGL Rotec and Premium Aerotec.

When asked about the reasons behind the new future scheme for the Lemwerder site, Gerwert said: "ASL’s long-term prospects at Lemwerder are quite complicated. This has something to do with the decline in the Tornado and Transall business, and also with the increasing pressure to make production processes for A400M and Eurofighter (Typhoon) component manufacture even more efficient. To maintain the future prospects for Lemwerder, we have joined with the SGL Group and Premium Aerotec in developing a plan to ensure stable business prospects. This involves expanding the site into a global technology and manufacturing center for wind turbine blades even though it is bound to change in character as a result".

As Dr. Jan Verdenhalven, Head of SGL Group’s Carbon Fibers & Composites (CFC) Business Unit, emphasized: “By expanding the Lemwerder site into our global center of competence for wind energy, we shall provide the region with new and long-term opportunities as a high-tech location. Under this future scheme, SGL Rotec will offer ASL's Lemwerder workforce high-potential workplaces for skilled employees in the growing market for wind energy.“