Press Release - Derry New Site FORMAT REQD - Raytheon UK

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Contact:
Mike Brown,
Raytheon Systems Limited,
(+44) 020 7569 5517
Raytheon sets up software house in Northern Ireland;
New centre to draw on high-tech talent of Londonderry
Londonderry, Northern Ireland (24 August 1999) -- In a ceremony at the Guildhall in Londonderry
today, Raytheon Systems Limited (RSL), a subsidiary of Raytheon Company, took another step
towards the establishment of its new multi-million-pound software development centre. The
company will finalise selection of a facility in Londonderry and begin staffing the centre immediately,
with more than a dozen employees to be in place before the end of the year, and up to 150
employees over the next three years.
Raytheon is establishing the centre with support from the Industrial Development Board for Northern
Ireland (IDB).
Raytheon Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel P. Burnham, in Londonderry to mark the
occasion, announced that the centre will support a variety of Raytheon’s electronics programmes,
including air traffic control systems for European and other airports. Raytheon is one of the world’s
leading providers of international air traffic control systems.
Joining Raytheon at the Guildhall today were Northern Ireland Office Minister George Howarth; Alan
Gillespie, chairman of the IDB; John Hume, Member of Parliament and Member of the European
Parliament; Councillor Patrick Ramsey, Mayor of Derry. In addition The Right Honourable David
Trimble, Member of Parliament and First Minister was also present.
"We’re delighted to be in Northern Ireland, setting an example for other companies also to consider
investing here," said Mr. Burnham. "Raytheon is indebted to John Hume for his unwavering
encouragement. We also are very appreciative of the support from the IDB in helping to develop our
plans for this important project."
George Howarth said: "Given the global stature of Raytheon, this investment is one of the most
significant high-tech investments ever in Northern Ireland. It sends the very clear, yet simple,
message to people around the world that Northern Ireland is the right place to do business.
"Economic success is central to securing and underpinning a peaceful and prosperous future for
Northern Ireland and today’s announcement is a huge vote of confidence which can help bring that
success about," Mr. Howarth added.
"I very strongly welcome the decision of Raytheon to locate a major software plant in my home city
of Derry," said John Hume. "It will be warmly welcomed by all of our citizens. It is an act of great
economic confidence in our city and is another major step forward in our dream to make our Foyle
Valley the Silicon Valley of Europe."
Raytheon chose to establish this software centre in Londonderry to take full advantage of the broad
range of talented software graduates and experienced software professionals in this region.
"Recruiting talented technical professionals has become a priority business issue, and we are
seeking out the best," Mr. Burnham said.
Two local universities, University of Ulster and Queen’s University will be unique contributors to this