26 Jun 2007 | Ref. 204/2007
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. - BAE Systems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is to transfer its computer and information systems operations to International Systems Engineering, a Saudi industrial partner of the firm, in a major outsourcing deal. This will start immediately and will be completed in a number of phases before the end of the year.
“The move has been made as part of the drive by BAE Systems to create a vibrant and self-sustaining home market in Saudi Arabia. This entails the transfer of work and the support of BAE Systems’ operations from resources located in the Kingdom,” said BAE Systems’ director of in-Kingdom programmes, Abdulhai Bassri.
“This is an important step for both BAE Systems and International Systems Engineering,” he commented. “We are working to build a strong presence in Saudi Arabia which has the capability of building a manufacturing and services infrastructure. The best way to do this is in partnership with Saudi interests.
“The home market will act in support of our domestic business in the Kingdom and pave the way to future export opportunities. The decision to outsource our IT services is also in line with international BAE Systems policy.”
Headquartered in Riyadh, International Systems Engineering is a Saudi Arabian economic offset company established in 1988 to provide services in systems engineering, information technology and the management of information-based systems, solutions and services.
Over the past 15 years, the company participated in a significant number of large-scale strategic programmes in the defence and aerospace sector, including Peace Shield, Peace Sentinel, projects at the King Fahad International Airport in Dammam, the Autolog upgrade, and advanced simulation systems for the military. In the private sector, International Systems Engineering has undertaken projects in the banking and telecommunications fields.
A total of 34 BAE Systems employees will transfer to International Systems Engineering to support the provision of the outsourced services. Their terms and conditions of employment will remain unchanged.
Speaking of the partnership with BAE Systems Mohammed Baghdadi, International Systems Engineering’s president and chief executive officer, said: “We are very please to be able to work with BAE Systems in this manner, providing an important service for them in Saudi Arabia. This is a win-win situation for both organisations – we acquire a highly motivated and well-trained team and BAE Systems benefits from our strong experience in the provision of IT services in the Saudi market.”
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a global defense and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions, and customer support services. BAE Systems, with 88,000 employees worldwide, had 2006 sales that exceeded $25 billion.
For further information, please contact:
Abdullah Al Wadani, BAE Systems
Tel: +966 (0) 1 445 9100 (ext: 3221)
abdullah.al-wadani@baesystems.com
Abdul Rahman Al Ahaideb
Tel: +966 (0) 1 445 9100 (ext: 3219)
abdullah.al-ahaideb@baesystems.com
