LOCATE IN KENT: French company to create high tech jobs in Kent.

M2 PRESSWIRE-18 January 1999-LOCATE IN KENT: French company to create high tech jobs in Kent (C)1994-99 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:120199

French telecommunications company Sagem - one of France's most innovative and highly respected companies - is to create high tech jobs at its new UK operation at Chatham Maritime in Kent.

Locate in Kent, the county's inward investment agency, has been working alongside the project team at Sagem for several months, to ensure that the company chose Kent by finding it the right site and by giving expert advice On skills availability, staff recruitment and demographics.

Sagem has taken 1,300 sq m (14,000 sq ft) in Queen Charlotte House, Chatham Maritime, from where it will operate the Research and Development Department of its Terminals Division.

"Sagem's decision to move to Kent is a recognition of the high quality skills base and the advantages of the county as a business location," said Sir Graeme Odgers, Chairman of Locate in Kent. "Kent's infrastructure means that companies which are based in the county are well placed to do business both within the UK and continental Europe. We are delighted that we have been able to attract Sagem to Chatham Maritime, and, together with Medway Council, we take great pleasure in welcoming the company."

The majority of the new jobs will be for software and telecommunications engineers (primarily to develop Internet products). Locate in Kent involved local experts from both the University of Kent and the University of Greenwich to provide vital information on graduate skills and availability within the area.

A spokesperson for Sagem commented: "We wore looking for an area which offered the potential for expansion and access to a highly trained workforce with the necessary skills. B y working with Locate in Kent we were able to gather all the necessary business information. We chose Chatham Maritime, Kent, and are confident that our business will grow to become an important employer in the area."

Groupe Sagem is an internationally-based high technology group which enjoyed consolidated sales of FRF 16.7 billion (GBP 1.86 billion) in 1997 (40% exports) and which employs 14,000 people, including 6,700 technical and managerial staff. The second largest French group in the field of telecommunications, Sagem is also one of the leaders in automotive electronics and defence equipment electronics. Sagem maintains g presence in more than 20 countries and has manufacturing centres in Germany, Spain, Brazil and the United States.

Note to Editors

Locate in Kent is the single point of contact for UK and international companies looking to establish a European operation in the county. From its headquarters near West Mailing, and through a network of international representatives in the USA, Japan and Taiwan, Locate in Kent is able to provide a comprehensive and confidential relocation service to help businesses benefit from the county's unique locational advantages.

CONTACT: Andrew Metcalf/Stuart Disbrey, Maxim PR & Marketing Tel: +44 (0)1892 513033 Clare Barnfather, Locate Tel: +44 (0)1732 844244 Robin Kingdon, Locate in Kent Tel: +44 (0)1732 844244

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