iRobot Appoints Former BAE Systems Vice President, Frank Wilson to Lead Defense & Security Business Unit
BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 7, 2012--
iRobot
Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT), a leader in delivering robotic
technology-based solutions, today announced that Frank Wilson has joined
the company as senior vice president and general manager of its Defense
& Security business unit. Wilson will focus on strategic
business development and product development to ensure iRobot is meeting
today’s military, civil defense and security needs. Tim Trainer, the
previous acting interim general manager, will continue on as vice
president of programs.
iRobot appoints former BAE Systems Vice President, Frank Wilson to lead Defense & Security business unit. (Photo: Business Wire)
With 25 years experience in the Aerospace and Defense industry, Frank
Wilson most recently served as sector vice president of business
development and mission applications for Electronic
Systems at BAE
Systems where he directly contributed to new business growth valued
at over $10 billion. With revenues of $4.2 billion in 2011, BAE
Electronic Systems consists of six business units and is the world
leader in electronic warfare, identification friend or foe (IFF)
products and wide area surveillance solutions. He previously held
positions in engineering and product development, providing him with a
strong knowledge base relating to the electrical and mechanical
subsystems found in iRobot’s life-saving robotic technologies.
“As was said on the second-quarter earnings call, U.S. government
funding and program delays continue to negatively impact our
expectations for the Defense & Security business unit,” said Jeff Beck,
chief operating officer of iRobot. “Frank has a wealth of experience
leading a business, driving business development and transforming
organizations in both favorable and declining defense budget
environments. We look forward to his contributions and leadership as
iRobot develops new technologies to address the growing role robots have
in special operations and infantry missions.”
“It is an honor to join iRobot and contribute to the continued success
and growth of the Defense & Security business unit,” said Wilson. “I
look forward to leveraging my experience and contacts to help iRobot
further its strategy of meeting the ever-changing needs of today’s
warfighter and providing unmanned systems that are an integral part of
the military’s future.”
In the second quarter, iRobot announced approximately $27 million in new
Defense & Security contracts for SUGV and PackBot robots, spares and
software upgrades that will be delivered over the remainder of 2012. To
date, iRobot has delivered more than 4,500 robots to military and civil
defense forces worldwide. These rugged robots are used to perform
search, reconnaissance, bomb disposal and other dangerous missions.
Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems (AUVSI), Booth # 2643
The iRobot Defense & Security business unit will be exhibiting at
AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems North America 2012 in Las Vegas, NV, to be held
August 6 – 9. iRobot will be demonstrating the latest advances in
unmanned ground vehicles, including the 110 FirstLook, SUGV and 510
PackBot. Media attending the show should contact Charlie Vaida of iRobot
(cvaida@irobot.com /
617.947.9217) for a demonstration and discussion with company
spokespeople.
About iRobot Corp.
iRobot designs and builds robots that make a difference. The company’s
home robots help people find smarter ways to clean, and its defense &
security robots protect those in harm’s way. iRobot’s consumer and
military robots feature iRobot Aware® robot intelligence systems,
proprietary technology incorporating advanced concepts in navigation,
mobility, manipulation and artificial intelligence. For more information
about iRobot, please visit www.irobot.com.
For iRobot Investors
Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on
historical information are forward-looking statements which are made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release contains express or
implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things,
iRobot Corporation’s expectations concerning management's plans,
objectives and strategies. These statements are neither promises nor
guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties,
many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results
to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking
statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date hereof. iRobot Corporation undertakes no obligation
to update or revise the information contained in this press release,
whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances
or otherwise. For additional disclosure regarding these and other risks
faced by iRobot Corporation, see the disclosure contained in our public
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without
limitation, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50368269&lang=en
Source: iRobot Corp.
iRobot Corp.
Elise Caffrey, 781-430-3003
Investor Relations
ecaffrey@irobot.com
or
Matthew
Lloyd, 781-430-3720
Media Relations
mlloyd@irobot.com