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## Implementing Customer-Focused Plans For Strategic Growth 

C hess is the ultimate competition between two minds. To skillfully use the sixteen chessmen to win the game, players must execute their moves with planning and foresight. In business, leaders of companies must demonstrate the same skills applied by tournament-level chess players. 

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As in chess, Woodward never underestimates its rivals. Our goal is to always be several moves ahead of the competition. To do this, we rely on our thorough understanding of the aircraft engine and industrial power equipment markets. We develop and use strategies that are focused and aligned to meet the needs of our customers. Moreover, we adapt our plans, when necessary, to fit the ever- changing market environment. 

## Our market drivers 

Our customers are faced with meeting new, stringent air quality standards to reduce air pollution. Internationally, the Kyoto Protocol mandates that industrialized countries reduce their emissions of greenhouse gasses, while clean air acts adopted in North 

America, Europe, and Asia direct other emissions reductions over the next five years. These air quality standards will drive the increased use of natural gas and high-efficiency engines and turbines. Meanwhile, pressures have increased on engine and turbine manufacturers to lower their cost structures. Additionally, customers are demanding continuous quality and reliability improvements for their power equipment. 

Finally global sourcing influences how Woodward works with its original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers, who produce products in multiple manufacturing facilities around the world. These customers need their supply chain to be located near their plants to help reduce costs, achieve faster turn-around times, and access product support locally. 

Jim Covert in Fort Collins, Colo., assembles a ProAct™ ITB throttle valve for natural gas engines for the power generation and process industries. This low-cost, electrically actuated valve is a key component in total control system solutions for two of the most advanced natural gas engines under development in Europe and the United States. ▼ 

