On Tuesday night, Textron Inc. presented its Chairman's Awards for Innovation in Washington, D.C., to nine of the company's top innovators. The award program, now in its third year, recognizes breakthrough innovations that resulted in a significant technology, product or process advancement while meeting the needs of the customers and contributing to Textron's business objectives.
 
"These innovations demonstrate Textron's commitment to driving organic growth through market leadership and customer partnership," said Lewis B. Campbell, Textron's Chairman, President and CEO. "I'm proud to honor those employees who have put their creativity to work for our customers and our company."

This year's Chairman's Award winners were selected from a field of more than 100 nominations. The winning innovations resulted sales of $5.6 million and cost savings of over $7 million in 2002. Over the next five years, they are expected to contribute approximately $160 million in sales while saving nearly $20 million.

The talent and ingenuity of Textron's employees are evident in the nine award-winning entries. Two were aviation-related:

• Development of thick laminate composite structural components for critical aircraft structural applications by engineers at Bell Helicopter in Ft. Worth (TX)
• Cessna Citation Jet Nosecap Process Design Improvement by engineers at Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita (KS)

FMI: www.textron.com