Boeing expands India team - says India is "strategic market"
18 January 2007

New Delhi: Boeing India, in a move aimed at further strengthening its in-country presence, has announced the appointment of two senior executives to lead its India operations.

Ian Thomas has been named as vice president of Boeing International and president of Boeing India, effective January 19. Thomas will have the responsibility to lead Boeing's enterprise-wide India team. Thomas succeeds Anil Shrikhande, who has now been appointed vice president and country leader for Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems.

"With Ian joining the Boeing team and Anil dedicating his extensive experience, market insights and in-country relationships to IDS, Boeing has significantly strengthened its ability to capitalize on growth opportunities in this strategically important market to Boeing," said Laurette Koellner, president of Boeing International. "India is a priority market for Boeing," added Koellner.

The current structure of Boeing Commercial Airplanes' sales and marketing team remains unaltered, however. It will continue to be led by Dinesh Keskar, vice president of sales for south and southeast Asia, based in Seattle. Larry Coughlin, managing director of India operations, will continue with his responsibilities of coordinating and integrating in-country operations for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Ian Thomas moves to Boeing India after a stint with Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems business unit in London, where he served as vice president, Europe. He had earlier served as vice president, UK business development, and had led Boeing's business activities in the United Kingdom.

Shrikhande has served earlier as vice president of Boeing International, and also in 2004, as managing director for Boeing India, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company.

"India represents one of Boeing's largest potential growth markets for defense products in Asia," said Mark Kronenberg, vice president for IDS Business Development for Asia-Pacific . "Anil Shrikhande's appointment reflects the importance IDS is placing on the Indian defence market which holds great potential to generate new revenue for the company."

Boeing jets are the mainstay of India's domestic and intercontinental commercial fleets, and maintain a relationship that goes back six decades. In December 2003, Boeing established a wholly owned subsidiary, Boeing International Corporation India Private Limited (BICIPL), to support the growing demands of India's aviation, aerospace and defense industries.