On the Move
10th Nikkei Global Management Forum
October 27, 2008
Tokyo, Japan
Arianespace’s creativity to meet customers’ needs – as well as the company’s focus on producing standardized versions of its launchers for high levels of quality – were highlighted by Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall during a speech today at the 10th Nikkei Global Management Forum in Tokyo.
Following his presentation at Nikkei Global Management Forum, Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall (at right) speaks with Shuzo Sumi, President of Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc. – a major insurance company and Japan's largest space underwriter. |
Addressing an audience of some 600 CEOs and managers, Le Gall said the highly challenging commercial launch marketplace requires Arianespace to be particularly flexible – going beyond the capability to launch on schedule, accurately and at affordable prices.
“Among all the satellite launch service contracts that I have signed with worldwide customers so far, not two have been identical or even similar in detail,” Le Gall said. “You need to make sure that the launch service company has the right structure and personnel and working methods to quickly invent, develop and carry out creative solutions for customers well beyond the technical aspects of the launch job.”
As part of this effort, Arianespace relies on its international offices – including those in Tokyo and Singapore – to be receptive to clients’ requirements in a changing marketplace.
Le Gall also underscored his focus on ensuring that industrial suppliers are providing launch vehicles in standardized configurations, ensuring repeatability in the production cycle for a high level of quality.
“My special concept for reducing technical risk is that, paradoxically maybe, we should always think twice, or even three times, before we make improvements to our launchers,” he explained. “Improvements are attractive to engineers, because engineers love good products; you can't blame them for that, but every technical improvement is also a technical change, that is to say, a potential risk of having overlooked something.”
Le Gall said his internal slogan: "Always identical launchers," is applied both to the staff at Arianespace and its industrial supply chain.
“Of course this is just a slogan and it must be applied with some degree of flexibility, but I believe that someone at a high level in the company must regularly remind all concerned that we are not working to enjoy technology, we are not working to enjoy our jobs, we are working to make sure that our customers' satellites are launched safely, and that is paramount.”
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