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tified, solved and are now behind us.

MN: Fincantieri Marine Systems has a significant presence in Ingleside Texas, which was on the recent Base Closure list — what are your plans?

Kamal: We understand from the Navy that the Mine Force ships currently sta- tioned in Ingleside will be transferred to

San Diego, Calif. Accordingly, we are already looking for office and mainte- nance space there so that we can continue to provide the same outstanding level of maintenance and training that the Navy enjoys in Ingleside.

MN: What other initiatives have you taken to expand Fincantieri Marine

Systems' business base?

Kamal: We have aggressively marketed the entire line of Fincantieri products and services and this has led to some initial successes. We: • will provide the Ship Service Diesel

Generator and Ride Control System to the

Lockheed Martin Flight Zero LCS; are currently re-engining one of the U. S.

Coast Guard's Inland Construction Ten- ders, (WLIC) with an option for up to 10; recently concluded an agreement with

Harvard University to provide a steam turbine for electrical generation.

As you can see, this new business spans a wide range of engineering products and services, and I believe only scratches the surface of our potential future work.

MN: Briefly describe your outlook for the business in 2006 and beyond?

Kamal: I am very optimistic, because I believe that our unique combination of products and services will be well received by the marketplace. I will shy away from specific numbers, but will be pleased to come back and talk with you in 2007 about our success.

MN: What do you consider the top pri- orities project wise for your company in the upcoming 12 to 24 months?

Kamal: First off, we must expand our team, with more first-rate professionals.

Secondly, we must to continue our aggressive marketing campaign to high- light the wide range of solutions and ser- vices we can offer to the marketplace.

And lastly, we must continue to honor our commitment and provide the same level of outstanding service that we currently offer to our customers.

MN: What do you consider to be the biggest challenges (legislation, technical demand, competition, etc.) to your com- pany's continued success?

Kamal: Well, you've hit on several of them. We don't underestimate the chal- lenges ahead and the only one I would add to your list is expanding our staff with additional quality personnel as we did in the past and are determined to do in the future, true to our tradition. 16 • MarineNews • April, 2006 ? ? ? ? ? 7&3?-ARINE.EWS? PDF0-

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