As the calendar year comes to a close, I wanted to reflect on some of Mercury’s outstanding accomplishments in 2021.  It was certainly a year of challenge, but also one where together we rose to meet those challenges and I think it’s important to celebrate the wins. Here, then, counting down, is my top 10 list of highlights this past year:

10. A step-change in new product introductions

Core to our purpose – Innovation that Matters By and For People Who Matter – is pioneering and delivering the most revolutionary products and solutions to help our customers solve their most challenging problems. In calendar 2021 we launched 12 new products, on the heels of 15 product introductions in 2020, and our momentum continues — with a plan to more than double that number in 2022.

 

9. Partnering with Silicon Valley tech leaders to power our customers’ mission

Equally critical to accelerating innovation is advancing our partnerships with Silicon Valley commercial technology leaders. In 2021 we moved the needle significantly in our engagement and success with our partners making cutting edge technology profoundly more accessible to Aerospace and Defense.

 

8. Partnering to deliver advanced solutions for our customers’ mission

Many companies sell products, fewer sell solutions, only the elite focus on solving problems. In 2021 we were honored to help both Boeing and Lockheed solve intricate mid-air refueling challenges to help pilots navigate risk, and we partnered with Raytheon to solve a complex power/size/weight tradeoff that made their mission possible.

 

7. Growing the Mercury family to add breadth to our capabilities

Mercury’s strategy for growth includes M&A to expand our capabilities and technologies, while adding wonderful talent to the One Mercury team.  In 2021 we added three such businesses and a wealth of new leaders who share a passion for our Purpose.

 

6. Recognizing innovation in our team

Innovation takes place every day within each of our teams and functions. In 2021 we recognized Angelique Mettraux, Michael Shorey, Ralph Guevarez, and Jennifer Keenan who consistently championed our Cultures and Values while innovating through their leadership, vision and One Mercury spirit.

 

5. Being recognized by others

At Mercury, we know how important our Culture & Values are to our success, but it is always a bonus to be recognized and honored by others for how we work and what we can accomplish together.  In 2021, we received several of these extraordinary acknowledgements.

 

4. Beginning our 1MPACT journey to position us for what’s next

In 2021, we launched our 1MPACT journey to simplify our organizational structure, improve our response and delivery to our customers, create a growth mindset across Mercury and transform our capability to further scale the business.

 

3. Pivoting to Digital Transformation

Our state-of the art digital tools are accelerating innovation, saving time and money for our customers. In 2021 we went “live” with our AWS secure cloud-based compute platform, employed Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), leading our industry with products designed and engineered in the cloud and tracked with a digital thread. Our roadmap for 2022 continues to leverage our digital transformation capabilities as a force-multiplier in delivering innovation, speed and affordability to support our customers’ missions.

 

2. Launching a new Mercury website and wordmark

As a marketing leader, this makes the top of the list for me.  Human, confident and bold, our new wordmark, website and brand voice reflect Mercury’s transformation to what the company is today – a technology leader dedicated to innovation, a culture that is people-centered and a vision to make the world a safer and more secure place for all.

 

1. Living our Purpose

Mercury is a Why company and we are all about Innovation That Matters, By and For People who Matter.  How we do that and what we deliver to our customers, I believe, comes back to the Speed of Mercury and how we ultimately serve our customers’ and end users’ missions with four key discriminators: Innovation, Speed, Affordability and Partnership. I am excited about 2022 and how we will continue to grow and serve all of our stakeholders.