New chief says Cubic defense consolidation will improve 'operational efficiency'

The head of Cubic's newly consolidated defense business says he expects the combined unit to be able to offer more integrated solutions and to be more efficient.

In an interview with Inside Defense, Mike Knowles said the military services “are starting to move faster and more efficiently and they’re also integrating capabilities.” Cubic, he added, wanted to ensure it is efficiently matching the needs of its customers.

Last month, the company said it was combining its mission solutions business with its global defense unit to create a new segment called Cubic Mission and Performance Solutions. Knowles, who had led the global defense unit since 2018, was tapped to head the new unit.

“This combination in practice is a formality,” he said, noting the two units were “already working quite tightly.”

Knowles said the two units are hoping to “find some synergies in our product roadmaps and where we can find combinations that might bring more capability.”

“The really interesting part is removing any hurdles and driving greater collaboration on ideas,” Knowles added.

He also said there remains “some work to do” on finding operational efficiencies.

Knowles said he’s been pleased with how the company has adapted to working during the ongoing pandemic. Knowles told Inside Defense Cubic is starting to see awards get back on schedule. While live training events were initially affected, he said the company is “starting to see that come back to look more like normal.”