Aerospace, Defense & Power Systems - Market Research, Intelligence & Consulting

E-Mail: consulting@forecast1.com

The Forecast Consulting Group can help you position your business to compete more effectively in tomorrow's markets. Leveraging the power of our unique database resources and analytical capability, we can address key strategic issues that impact your future. We have successfully completed hundreds of projects and have consistently demonstrated our ability to produce world-class results across a broad range of demanding business requirements.

Our proprietary research and consulting services are used by a global clientele to develop and refine their strategies and guide their decision-making. From proposal to finished report, the Forecast Consulting Group is dedicated to providing practical, comprehensive and cost-effective results.

Today, many companies are finding it increasingly uneconomical to maintain large, permanent market research and planning staffs. However, these companies still recognize the need for periodic research and studies to address specific key strategic issues in order to effectively compete in today's difficult market environment.

We at Forecast International can fill this void by providing this service quickly and with the full power of our extensive databases, professional research and analysis staff, and industry-experienced management with substantial marketing and planning backgrounds. Moreover, we can do this at a fraction of the cost of maintaining a comparable internal staff capability.

Throughout our history, the success and growth of this organization has been the ability to acquire strategic information from diverse sources around the world; develop large interactive databases using this information; and comprehensively process the data in order to perform detailed, critical analyses of product and industry trends.

Forecast International's diverse resources and extensive experience base can be readily tailored, and cost-effectively brought to bear, to fulfill a broad spectrum of Consulting and Special Research requirements.

Functional Capabilities

• Information Collection and Assessment
• Custom Database Development
• Web-Based Surveys
• Strategic Planning & Long-Range Forecasting
• Competitive Analysis
• Market and Product Assessment
• Special Broad or Niche Market Research, Analysis and Forecasting
• SWOT* Analysis
• Functional and Business Diagnostic Audits
• Forecasting by Market Segment for New and Existing Products
• Dynamic Business and Financial Modeling
• Data Support for Teaming or Joint Venture Considerations
• Analysis for Acquisitions, Divestitures, and Offsets
• Historical Production Statistics for Aftermarket Support Evaluation

*Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

Approach to Research

The keystones of Forecast International's demonstrated success in the special research environment are: 1) employing an experienced research staff who are knowledgeable in their respective fields and know how and where to acquire critical information in a timely manner, 2) equipping these individuals with an extensive portfolio of readily accessible, highly reliable resources, and 3) providing strong database/processing and efficient production support systems to streamline the research process.

FI researchers draw from a wide variety of resources, which are routinely cross-checked to obtain a complete and accurate knowledge of each research topic.

Sources

• Open Source Publications, Press Releases, Industry. and Association Literature
• Trade Shows, Seminars, National Research Council Meetings
• Company, Agency, Government Special Inquiries
• Personal Interaction with More Than 3,000 Clients Worldwide
• Network of Internationally Based Stringers
• United Nations and Washington DC On-Site Representation
• On-Line, Internet Research

1. Objectively assessing your market environment in terms of:
   1. Specific Sectors
   2. Products
   3. Technologies
   4. Current and Forecast Size and Trends
   5. Competition
2. Identifying the critical issues that you must resolve to compete effectively.
3. Developing alternative courses of action to address these issues.
4. Recommending strategies based on our analysis of the total market environment.

Special Studies

FI has a successful history of developing proprietary and special studies, conducted in support of client-specific technical and business-driven initiatives, which dates back to 1976. To date, more than 400 clients worldwide - a significant number of whom have benefited repeatedly by this custom service - have participated.

Both the client base and research topics studied are varied. Table I shows a representative listing of clients and topics. As indicated, clients include major domestic and international players in the aerospace, automotive, heavy equipment and petroleum industries, as well as financial publications and state and federal institutions. Topics range from an evaluation of national budgets to the market viability of specific equipment components.

1. Performing analysis which is both comprehensive and validated.
2. Adhering to an unbiased "tell-it-like-it-is" philosophy, and
3. Maintaining strict client confidentiality.

Table 1

Examples of Proprietary Research/Special Studies and Clients

Industry (General)

Aircraft, Airlines, and Maintenance

Financial Venture Analysis regarding Major Aircraft Components
Price Sensitivity Analysis for General Aviation Aircraft
The Market for Single Engine Turboprops
Potential Market for a New European Commuter/Corporate Aircraft
World Market for a Military Turboprop Trainer (several studies)
Potential Market for Long-Range Business Jets
The Market for Remanufactured Business Jets
Analysis of a Regional Maintenance Provider's Operation
The Market for Small Civil Helicopters
Power Lift/Augmentor Wings
The Helicopter Market
The Market for Light Turbine Helicopters
The Market for Medium Turbine Helicopters
Several Studies on the Market for Specific Aircraft Applications
Survey of Pressurization Requirements in Aircraft
Worldwide Market for Trainer/Counterinsurgency Aircraft
Worldwide Overhaul and Repair Market for Airlines
The World Market for Two New Business Aircraft
The Market for Very Light Jets

Electronics

Engines

Missiles

Unmanned Vehicles

Materials/Components/Overhaul and Repair

Ordnance and Munitions

Selected Clients

Corporate Background

Forecast International was founded in 1973. Since that time, it has experienced a pattern of steady growth, characterized by a series of acquisitions, expansions and facility relocations. Today, the organization occupies two adjacent modern facilities in Newtown, CT, USA, employs a highly experienced staff of 56, and is supported by a worldwide network of representatives and sales offices.

In 1989, Forecast International acquired the assets of its then-principal competitor, Defense Marketing Services (DMS), previously owned by Jane's Inc, based in Alexandria, Virginia, and headquartered in the United Kingdom. Subsequently, to facilitate its diversification into the automotive information field, it acquired the publishing rights to two British-owned research firms: London-based Planning Research Systems (PRS) International, and James McArdle & Associates. In 1992, the company went on to develop a relationship with the government of China's Technical Information Development Center, as well as a series of private information sources in China. In 1993, it further established a direct information source in Moscow. These later agreements substantially improved information sourcing from these rapidly developing areas. In 1997, our contact base was further expanded with the opening of an office in Tokyo, Japan. Most recently the company has established Sales representatives in China, Taiwan, South Korea and India.

Personnel and Staffing

Newtown CT, Headquarters Staff - There are 56 full-time associates currently employed at the company's Newtown (Connecticut) headquarters and principal research facility. Of these, 28 are directly involved in editorial, special projects and new-product development functions, with the remainder dedicated to computer/software maintenance, production support or facility-operation functions. In addition, the company draws upon an extensive network of talented independent consultants to provide rapid response to short-term staffing needs.

Forecast International takes particular pride in the experience of its research and editorial staff, and the intellectual property which they represent. Many have distinguished industry-related backgrounds and are acknowledged experts in their fields. These staff members have an average of twelve years of individual association with FI, and represent more than 480 years of combined job and industry-related experience. The incisive content of FI products is a direct outgrowth of the well-established reputation of our staff.

Off-Site Support - FI also supports a staff of editorial and special-assignment personnel in several key locations. Full-time representatives are retained at the United Nations Center in New York City; Washington, DC (Pentagon Desk); England; and Japan. Part-time editorial contributors are located in Moscow, Beijing, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, India and throughout Europe (East & West). Off-site editorial personnel maintain a real-time interface with the centralized computer network and databases at company headquarters, via a high-speed datalink.

Consulting Group - In addition to its in-house staff of analysts and editors, FI draws upon the resources of many Affiliated Research Consultants around the world, each carefully selected for his/her expertise in one or more of the specialized areas in which project-specific research is being conducted. Each individual is highly qualified in terms of academic background, industry/government experience and reputation within their discipline. Typically, Affiliated Consultants work as a team with FI staff members. This arrangement achieves the benefits of providing a wide range of talent on an as-needed basis, while holding down full-time staffing costs.

Jonathan G. Watson

Managing Director, Forecast Consulting Group. Mr. Watson has over 30 years of experience developing and managing strategic projects for a global clientele. He manages and conducts technical and business consulting projects including evaluating markets for new products, analyzing military and commercial market segments, and conducting audits, investigations and analyses focusing on management, marketing, operations, maintenance, organization, cost, efficiency, logistics, regulatory compliance, and business processes. His worldwide experience includes sales, marketing, customer service, public and investor relations, leasing, operations, maintenance and logistics management, training, general management, executive management, and consulting. He earned a BA in Economics from Cornell University and the Naval Aviator designation from the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served as a test pilot, instructor pilot and Presidential Pilot. Mr. Watson, a Vietnam combat veteran, is a licensed commercial pilot, holding ratings for multi-engine airplanes, rotorcraft and instrument flying. As Project Director, Mr. Watson has served numerous government and industry clients, including the largest operator of business aircraft in North America, the largest such operator in South America, the largest provider of aviation emergency medical services in the U.S., the State of New York, the United Nations, and a variety of aircraft manufacturers, defense systems contractors, aircraft operators, utilities, and financial institutions.

Jack P. Wiegand

Senior Industry and Government Liaison, Forecast Consulting Group. Jack has been actively involved in ASME; NRC; and ATRIF (President 1980-81). He has served as Chairman of TRB’s Light Commercial and General Aviation Committee, in addition to being a member of the Air Transportation Conference Program Planning Committee and active in the International Federation of Operations Research Society. Jack is listed in Who’s Who in Aviation and Aerospace, and previously worked as a senior engineer and marketing strategist at Curtiss-Wright and Rolls-Royce. Jack has helped design/develop advanced gas turbines and dual-cycle engines and has provided field and installation engineering services to aircraft and missile manufacturers. He has also managed various aerospace/defense projects, including product reliability/maintainability and failure analysis programs for subsonic/supersonic engine designs. Jack’s other areas of expertise include business, finance, marketing, and bid and proposal management. His experience in establishing and managing market information systems has been a valuable asset in developing in-depth forecasts and achieving competitive advantages for clients. He has an extensive background in market research, financial analysis, acquisition, and merger and divestiture studies. Through active participation in professional societies and industry associations, he has developed a network of contacts within the aerospace/defense industry for use as a source for intelligence and potential business opportunities. Education: MS Management Engineering, BS Mechanical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Resources

Inventory Databases. FI inventory databases are ideally suited for aftermarket suppliers who need to know: 1) where the equipment they are supporting is located, 2) who owns/operates it, and 3) how old it is. Five complete databases are available together with selected demographic and/or market segment subdivisions:

Complete Aircraft Engine Inventories. Over 234,00 engines of all types installed in military and commercial aircraft worldwide.

Complete Commercial Aircraft Inventories. Over 50,350 aircraft worldwide, categorized by operator/owner and country of operation.

Complete Military Aircraft Inventories. Over 126,400 aircraft worldwide, segmented by country, number age, type, model and variant.

Industrial & Marine Gas Turbine Inventories. Over 43,000 industrial or marine gas turbines, including aero-derivatives and heavy industrial and marine units installed by 50 prime manufacturers, licensees, associates and packagers, worldwide.

• Aerospace & Defense
• Transportation & Infrastructures
• Power & Energy

The service is not a conventional news service or automatic computer indexing system, but integrates information from many sources, including the Internet, periodicals, publications, databases and personal industry contacts. (Note: Includes 13 foreign language translation capabilities.) The data are sourced, selected and reviewed by senior analysts in the respective fields, and abstracted by experts.

Computer/Software Environments. Forecast International has always pursued a policy of maintaining cutting-edge technology in the state-of the-art computers and software it employs in all facets of its daily activities. This corporate philosophy historically has provided a competitive edge and is supported by staff training to achieve a high productivity level. Software experts at Forecast International provide a diverse software programming capability, and also maintain an up-to-date, universal application software environment for both on-site and remote staff members.

Graphics Product appeal is enhanced by a variety of graphics and illustrations, which are incorporated in Forecast International's products, presentation/trade show materials and advertising. Illustration and graphic design are integral elements of the ongoing publication layout and formatting process. The unique artistic ability of FI's Graphics Department, however, is best illustrated by the aesthetically pleasing and eye-catching custom image designs that the staff is frequently called upon to generate.

While used primarily to support FI products, these capabilities are available to clients to be used in support of their specific needs.

Hardware. Forecast International's internal Local Area Network (LAN) backbone runs at a speed of 1 Gb per second. The Network topology is a Star configuration using 10/100 Mb workgroup switches. Our two sites are connected via a six-strand fiber-optic connection to ensure the utmost reliability. Internet Connectivity can be provided to any user using Bay Networks Instant Internet.

Forecast International's Network is made up of a COMPAQ PROLIANT ML 530 system running Novell Netware 5.10 providing File and Print services, and a COMPAQ PROLIANT ML 530 G2 system running Microsoft Windows 2003 Server providing SQL services. Our network is completely backed up each night to external DLT media and stored off-site. Remote Access Capabilities are provided using Citrix Metaframe.

Forecast International maintains a World Wide Web presence and mail server using COMPAQ PROLIANT ML 350 G3 and PROLIANT 1600 systems, running Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, which are connected to the Internet by means of a digital T1 line. We host numerous dynamic Web sites that employ, among other technologies, ColdFusion MX , Nextpage NXT4, ISAPI, and SQL backend databases. Our primary Web site, forecast1.com, also employs e-commerce technology developed using ColdFusion MX and Verisign Merchant services. Our Web sites are developed by our in-house IS department.

Software. Forecast International's in-house programming and software skills consist of the following:

• ASP (Active Server Pages)
• Borland Delphi
• CA Clipper
• ColdFusion MX
• C/C++
• HTML
• XML
• ISAPI
• Java and Javascript
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Word Basic and Visual Basic (macro language)
• SQL (using IBphoenix Firebird, also called Opensource Interbase)

Business Status/Physical Plant

Forecast International is a privately owned, small business incorporated in the State of Connecticut. Financial accounting and reporting procedures are Defense Contract Administration Service (DCAS) approved.

The principal working facilities of the company are located in two adjacent buildings located in Newtown, Connecticut. Building A, owned and operated by Forecast International, comprises 15,600 square feet: 11,400 feet of prime office space and production facilities, with the remainder devoted to warehouse and storage areas. Building B, a modern co-located 5,000-square-foot facility, is shared by selected members of the editorial, special-product and advanced-product development staff.

Open Invitation

Clients and all other interested parties are invited to visit and tour the Forecast International facilities, which are located at 22/25 Commerce Road, Newtown, CT 06470.