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The cabin is becoming an increasingly important element for airlines as it represents a key domain for differentiation. At the same time aircraft manufacturers are looking for more stan-dardized and integrated solutions for cabin interior modules. Through the acquisition of the Laupheim site, Diehl and Thales intend to further expand their cabin activities, thus becoming leading global suppliers in the field of aircraft cabins.

As strategic partners in the supply and integration of aviation systems, Diehl and Thales have cooperated very successfully over many years in their Joint Venture Company Diehl Aerospace (Diehl 51% and Thales 49%).

Diehl and Thales both enjoy leading positions within cabin systems - Diehl Aerospace, as world leader in cabin mood lighting and electrical door and monitoring activities, and Thales with its high ranking position within the field of In Flight Entertainment Systems (45% world-wide market share), connectivity and satcomms solutions.

Notes to Editors
With 1100 employees, the Laupheim site represents Airbus's site for cabin modules including interior linings, cabin crew rest compartments, air ducts, overhead baggage bins with recognized capabilities in design and program management.

About Diehl
Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG is one of the largest German corporations with an international orientation. 11.200 employees in more than forty independent companies, making up the four Divisions Metall, Controls, Defence Aerosystems are generating a revenues exceeding 2.2 billion euros. The company has been an entirely family run enterprise since its foundation over hundred years ago. Diehl Aerosys-tems concentrates all aerospace activities of Diehl for the equipment of commercial and military air-craft from cockpit to cabin systems.

About Thales
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thales's leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical infor-mation systems. To this end, the group's civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. The group builds its growth on its unique multi-domestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technol-ogy and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2007 revenues of €12.3 billion.

Press Contacts
Diehl Thales Aerospace
Dr. Herbert Wust Natasha Harvey
Phone +49 (0) 9 11/ 9 47-2492 + 33 1 34 81 40 50
E-Mail: herbert.wust@diehl.de natasha.harvey@fr.thalesgroup.com