We are more than happy to announce that on January 11th, 2021, an agreement extending the strategic cooperation between GE and the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation for the next 15 years, was officially signed by the representatives of the companies.
The event took place on our campus with the online presence of the guests. During the live YouTube broadcast all our employees, together with the journalists listened to the speeches from the signatories (Marian Lubieniecki, Paweł Stężycki and Gary Mercer) and our honored guests: Mrs Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak – secretary of state at the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, Mr Zbigniew Sokal – the President’s of Poland Advisor and Piotr Dardziński – Director of the Łukasiewicz Research Network.
To celebrate this event, the deputy prime minister of Poland Jarosław Gowin sent an official letter to the signatories and EDC employees. In this letter he emphasized that Engineering Design Center engineers are world-class specialists who use their knowledge and experience with the support of the Polish institute that is part of the Łukasiewicz Research Network. „Their engineering competences are highly appreciated by business customers due to the quality and innovation of the proposed solutions. I am convinced that the future of the engineering industry will be created in Poland” – pointed out the deputy prime minister Gowin. „New technologies created in international partnership, thanks to the potential of Polish scientists and engineers focused in Łukasiewicz, may become not only a remedy for this troubled times, but also a flywheel for changes that will make the Polish economy a pioneer of solutions that have a chance to change the world for the better. The development of the Polish economy and increasing the level of investments are crucial for strengthening Poland’s position in the world. I am sure that taking up such challenges as those on which Engineering Design Center specialists are working will be the realization of Polish ambitions to actively participate in the global technological race” – prime minister Gowin added in the letter.
Paweł Stężycki, PhD Eng, Director of the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation underlined the long history of the unique cooperation. “Our relationship with GE dates back two decades. It is a unique example of a public-private partnership that works well in the demanding market reality. EDC combines the organizational culture of one of the largest companies in the engineering industry with the best laboratory and scientific facilities. This combination allows the acquisition and use of practical engineering knowledge on the large, international projects. I am glad that, together with our partner GE, we will continue this cooperation for the next years” – said Stężycki.
“The signing of the contract between GE and the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation is a proof of how much GE appreciates the skills of Polish engineers and cooperation with the Polish scientific circles” added Marian Lubieniecki, President of the Management Board of General Electric Company Polska Sp. z o.o. and EDC Site Leader.
Just before the official signing of the agreement, Gary Mercer, Engineering Vice President of GE Aviation gave shared his thoughts with us. “We are extremely proud of the EDC team and our successful partnership with the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation. Over the past 20 years, our teams have grown, and the scope of their projects have expanded significantly. Today, they design some of the most advanced products and services for GE’s global customers. Together, we see new opportunities for cooperation including addressing carbon emission reductions for the aviation and energy industries. Extending the contract for the next 15 years allows us to execute for today while developing projects aligned to long-term strategic innovations in new areas”- said Mercer.
Łukasiewicz supports the agreement with GE
This agreement is also important for the entire Łukasiewicz Research Network, of which the Warsaw Institute has been part since 2019. Long-term cooperation with the American technology concern, such as GE, is an opportunity for Łukasiewicz to increase the scientific and research potential of the entire network.
“Łukasiewicz, using the unique competences of 4,500 scientists and engineers, already implements scientific and research projects with global brands. They include representatives of manufacturing, biotechnological, commercial, energy, electrotechnical and telecommunications industries. The alliance between General Electric and Łukasieiwcz’s institute gives us wide opportunities to cooperate on the most significant and advanced projects for the aviation and energy industries, because innovative solutions co-created by Łukasiewicz-ILOT engineers are used in industry all over the world. This agreement also opens the possibility of cooperation between the entire Łukasiewicz and GE at the design as well as research and development levels. We are ready to jointly search for the development opportunities and invest in the latest technologies, while at the same time looking for the sources of their financing, which we could commercialize to benefit of the Polish economy” – said Piotr Dardziński, Director of the Łukasiewicz Research Network.
As the example of EDC shows, innovative solutions co-created by Łukasiewicz’s engineers are used in the industry all over the world. It is the workplace of many talented engineers who do not have to leave the country looking for interesting job opportunities.
Plans for the future
According to what was said during the meeting, despite the pandemic, EDC operations are expected to remain stable due to the growth in European grant projects, a rich portfolio of laboratory research, and more.
As part of EDC, the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation and GE see many development opportunities. EDC engineers will continue to participate in GE’s strategic projects. Cooperation will also be developed in the area of the key industry technological challenges including the move to zero carbon emission aviation (including hybrid drives) and the context of renewable energy sources within the energy industry.
Press Release from the event is available both in Polish (click here to download) and English (click here to download).
