Innovation. It is the common thread that links our three business units and creates value for our customers and our employees.

Innovation at DEW starts by hiring talented people and providing them with an environment to thrive in. The next step is listening to the customer and understanding what they truly want. Innovation is finding solutions to customer's needs and investing in them for the long term. Innovation is integrated into every aspect of DEW and is sustained with Continuous Improvement. Lean Thinking provides lots of little ideas that can make a big idea better.

Innovation is also finding the right partners such as CoorsTek, Safegate and ArmorWorks and integrating their technologies and ideas into products that meet customer's needs.

We saw a need for biometric security and developed an electronic fingerprint scanner to replace passwords. We added smart cards and by listening to customers, created a single sign-on system with layered security starting with what you know, a pin or password, then what you have, a card or token and finally with what you are, a fingerprint or biometric. We made the original technology truly valuable and then sold that business.

We saw the need for reducing the time an aircraft spends at a gate and developed the automated over-the wing bridge to allow passengers to emplane and deplane using the front and rear door of the aircraft. Working with key customers, we automated the front bridge and integrated a vision docking guidance system. The resultant DoubleDocker™ improves airplane productivity and provides realizable value to the airlines and their customers.

We were one of the first to see the need for military vehicle re-life and re-role. We have completed two programs and are continuing with two others. In one armored vehicle program we increased the payload, the power to weight ratio and the protection, as well as creating new variants to meet new customer requirements. We made them better than new at a fraction of the cost.

In the mid 1990's we were an early adopter of high-tech ceramic composite protection solutions. The technology is just now coming into its own and is considered by many nations to be the armor of the future to replace the 10's of thousands of steel armor kits.

By listening to customers and by applying our entrepreneurial spirit to meeting customers needs, we will continue to make innovation an integral part of everything we do. It is the way of the future.