Jason Crabtree becomes Chief Executive of Umeco's Aerospace Components Division and Michael Berry joins Pattonair International as Managing Director

Umeco plc, Europe's leading provider of value-added distribution services to the aerospace and defence industries, announces the promotion of Jason Crabtree to Chief Executive of its Aerospace Components Division comprising Pattonair International, Pattonair Logistics and Compstock Electronics, with immediate effect.

Jason, who joined Umeco in 1988, becomes responsible for the domestic and international development of the Components Division reporting to Group Chief Executive, Clive Snowdon, and will remain responsible for the management of Pattonair Logistics.

Pattonair International will now be headed up by Michael Berry who becomes Managing Director with effect from 30 October 2000.

Michael joins Pattonair International from Fiege Merlin, a joint venture between German logistics business, Fiege Group, and British Merlin Distribution where he served as Commercial Director. Previously, Michael was Chief Executive of Geologistics SA France which he joined in 1997 from LEP International where he started his career and worked for some eighteen years.

Commenting on the promotion of Jason Crabtree and appointment of Michael Berry, Clive Snowdon said: "The success to date of both Pattonair International and Pattonair Logistics formed in late 1999, is a testament to the commitment and drive of Jason Crabtree and we are delighted to see him extending his skills to the whole of the Aerospace Components Division.

"The appointment of Michael Berry is an important step in enabling Pattonair International to continue to secure significant outsourcing contracts from OEMs both in the UK and overseas. His extensive international experience will contribute significantly to its future growth as well as the effective day to day management of the business."