EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW“Schneider Electric has over 90 years proven
experience in providing advanced innovative
products, solutions and services to the naval
market. Schneider Electric Australia is committed to
partnering with DCNS to provide innovative solutions
and services for Australia’s future marine projects.” -
Gareth O’Reilly, Zone President Pacific
General Management, Schneider Electricindustry and be a leader within
the Australian economy at large
given the sheer size of the future
submarine program.”Operating as a defence supplier
naturally means a close relationship
with the Australian Government, and
Sean is cognisant of the fact that DCNS
needs to nurture not only this
relationship, but those with other
companies and suppliers as well.“DCNS is what we call a ‘systems
integrator’ — we bring together the
talents and competencies of countless
other companies,” he says. “More thanhalf of DCNS’s revenues flow into
other businesses. Those other
businesses not only provide us with
support for the program but also need
to be broader and stronger so we’re
drawing on the best.”This is particularly true of the defence
industry, where there’s so much at stake
— from funds supplied by the
government to the lives of the naval
officers who will go on to eventually
crew the submarines. This requirement
has affected the company culture at
DCNS, a fact that’s reflected in its
high regard for customer success.
This, in turn, results in an intimate
and trusting relationship with the
Defence Department.“We exist in Australia for a strategic
reason: to make sure the Australian
Navy has the best submarines,
supported by a capable industry,”says Sean. “That means everything we
do and think about — the way we act,
communicate and behave — is always
geared towards fostering and
developing a stronger navy and a more
prosperous Australia.”Sean isn’t letting his base in Adelaide
translate to a limit on the scope for
DCNS in Australia, with plans to
expand already in the works.“Culturally, we are developing as an
Adelaide company, working in a
national industry,” he says. “Our offices
and workforce are developing in
Adelaide but our supply chain, research
and development and innovation
network is developing right through the
whole country. Some people might
think we are just going to be an
Adelaide company and that’s not
correct. We are based in Adelaide,
working around Australia.”schneider-electric.com.auExpertise In Energy Management
Solutions Engineering and solutions,
maintenance, on-site operation, retrofit,
spare parts and training. Medium
and low voltage electrical distribution,
automation and safety application.Innovation
We offer and supply systems, based
on well-proven technologies to
guarantee service continuity and
best-in-class performance from
a worldwide company.After Sales Services
Tailored services to your requirements
to ensure reliability, repair and
refurbishment of all safety-critical
equipment on your ship.Over 90 years experience in
Conventional and nuclear submarines,
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References to 15 navies worldwide.