Eurocopter and Airbus agree on Measures to improve Competitiveness
Eurocopter Deutschland and Airbus have signed a contract to increase competitiveness in the world market. Herewith the German Eurocopter facility, as a supplier for Airbus passenger and cargo doors, will contribute significantly to the reduction of costs.
Marignane, 15 July 2004
This goal will be reached mainly by further extending the automatic production process and by including production shares from low-cost countries. After intensive negotiations, Eurocopter and Airbus both reached a satisfying result. According to Airbus, Eurocopter proved with this contract once again that, in addition to its innovation capability which was demonstrated a few weeks ago with the introduction of the world’s first all-composite aircraft passenger door, it also possesses the necessary market competitiveness. This makes Eurocopter an important and reliable partner.
Bert Stegkemper, Head of the German Eurocopter sites, stated: “With this contract we do not only extend our strategic partnership with Airbus. We also qualify Eurocopter as a manufacturer of airplane passenger and cargo doors for the entire world market.”
Just recently, Eurocopter has achieved an international technological breakthrough in the construction of airplane doors. For the first time, a complete carbon-fibre door structure was manufactured in one single piece, including all respective elements such as beams, frames and the external door skin, which usually consists of multiple metal elements. Eurocopter is now in the position to offer optimum light weight doors for new aircraft programmes as well as replacement doors in weight critical existing programmes.
In addition to its helicopter business, Eurocopter Deutschland produces more than two thirds of all Airbus doors and is prime contractor in this field for the A380. It holds more than 30 active patents in the field of airplane door production.
Eurocopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2003, EADS generated revenues of € 30.1 billion and employed a workforce of about 109,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world’s largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the second-largest missile producer in the global market. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.
For further information, please contact:
| Jean Louis ESPES |
Tel : + 33 (0)4 42 85 95 55 Fax : + 33 (0)4 42 85 95 64 |
|
Eurocopter Aéroport International Marseille Provence F-13725 Marignane Cedex France | |
| Christina GOTZHEIN |
Tel : + 49 (0) 89 6000 64 88 Fax : + 49 (0) 89 6000 44 37 |
|
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH D-81663 München Germany | |
| Chantal LINARES |
Tel : + 33 (0)4 42 85 60 51 Fax : + 33 (0)4 42 85 95 64 |
|
Eurocopter Aéroport International Marseille Provence F-13725 Marignane Cedex – France | |
| Christoph MÜLLER |
Tel : + 49 (0) 906 71 45 65 Fax : + 49 (0) 906 71 46 74 |
|
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH D-86607 Donauwörth Germany |
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