Wichita, KS - June 20, 2008 - Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton announced today the establishment of the Cessna Environmental Strategy Council to assess the company's impact on the environment and to formalize initiatives to minimize that impact. The council is comprised of representatives from every part of the company.
"This is an important part of our long-term strategy," Pelton said. "We are looking at boosting our efforts in recycling - both personal and industrial - conserving energy, aircraft operations and aircraft design," he said.
The council is looking at how the company interfaces with the environment, with the goal of developing an action plan to lessen Cessna's impact on the environment. The effort will also reach out to Cessna's employees, encouraging them to embrace an environment-friendly approach to their everyday lives.
Pelton said Cessna is coordinating with industry and government groups, including the Federal Aviation Administration, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the Aerospace Industries Association and the National Business Aviation Association.
Cessna already is thinking green in a number of ways: recycling materials such as aluminum and paper, designing lighter airplanes to complete the same mission and working with suppliers - especially engine makers - to develop more efficient systems.
"We have long been committed to improving the efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of our products. We intend to intensify that effort, through our strategy of continuous improvement," Pelton said.
Earlier this year, Pelton was appointed by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius to chair the state's Energy and Environmental Policy Advisory Group.
About Cessna Aircraft Company
Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2007, Cessna delivered 1,272 aircraft, including 387 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $5 billion. Cessna has a current backlog of $14.5 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, some 190,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of more than 5,100 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world. More information about Cessna Aircraft Company is available at www.cessna.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a $13.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 34 countries with approximately 44,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, defense and intelligence, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.
Forward-looking Information: Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements and speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including but not limited to the following: [a] changes in worldwide economic and political conditions that impact demand for our products, interest rates and foreign exchange rates; [b] the interruption of production at our facilities or at our suppliers' facilities; [c] the timing of new product launches and certifications of new aircraft products; [d] the occurrence of slowdowns or downturns in customer markets in which our products are sold or supplied; [e] changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellation of orders; [f] the launching of significant new products or programs which could result in unanticipated expenses; [g] changes in national or international government policies on the export and import of commercial products; and [h] bankruptcy or other financial problems at major suppliers that could cause disruptions in our supply chain.