Article Posted on : - Sep 18, 2010

The new logo of the company.

NEW DELHI (PTI): EADS Defence and Security, an European firm for global security solutions and systems, has changed its name to Cassidian and announced that India, Brazil and the Middle East will be its focus markets globally.

Announcing the change, Cassidian chief executive officer Stefan Zoller said the firm will remain a division of EADS company and would sell its large portfolio of security systems in the global market.

“Our business is changing. So are our customers.

Especially on the civil markets which we address with our security products, it is essential to be perceived as a strong brand,” Zoller said in a press release here.

“The new name Cassidian comes from the Latin terms 'cassida' (helmet) and 'meridian' (imaginary line running north and south). It symbolises worldwide protection and security, thus reflecting the Cassidian claim – Defending World Security,” said Annette Fullenbach, the firm's communications head.

The firm also introduced its new logo on the occasion.

A globe with hands surrounding and protecting it symbolises the company's commitment to support those whose mission is to protect the world, the release said about the new logo.

Cassidian's business units too got new names to highlight their core activities – Cassidian Electronics, Cassidian Air Systems and Cassidian Systems.

The company will begin to use the new name and logo immediately. Its subsidiaries will retain their present names for the time being, but will immediately adopt the new logo.

"Our business has changed significantly in recent years.

We are not two silos - one defence and one security, but a company that offers global protection in a wide sense.

Cassidian will soon be a distinguished and reputable name for global security solutions," Zoller said.

The statement said the company would continue with its military air systems, radar technologies, secure communications and nationwide security activities focusing on domestic markets in Europe and also pursuing global developments.

India, Brazil and the Middle East, the release said, were identified as major growth areas. Cassidian has 21,000 employees and achieved revenues of Euros 5.4 billion in 2009.