Rolls-Royce operates in four global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy. It is investing in technology and capability that can be exploited in each of these sectors to create a competitive range of products.

The success of these products is demonstrated by the company’s rapid and substantial gains in market share over recent years. The company now has a total of 54,000 gas turbines in service worldwide. The investments in product, capability and infrastructure to gain this market position create high barriers to entry.

Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 500 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces and more than 2,000 marine customers, including 50 navies. The company has energy customers in nearly 120 countries. Rolls-Royce employs around 35,000 people, of which 21,000 are in the UK. Forty percent of its employees are based outside the UK - including 5,000 in the rest of Europe and 8,000 in North America.

The large installed base of engines generates demand for the provision of services. A key element of the company's strategy is to maximize services revenues, which have increased by 60 percent over the past five years, by the provision of a comprehensive portfolio of services.

Annual sales total nearly £6 billion, of which more than 50 per cent are services revenues. The order book is more than £19 billion, which, together with demand for services, provides visibility as to future activity levels.