Official Opening of Eurocopter Malaysia’s Regional Maintenance Centre

State-of-the-art Facility Enlarges Regional Footprint of the World’s Number One Helicopter Company

The Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Datuk Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, today officially launched Eurocopter Malaysia’s Regional Maintenance Centre in Subang, Selangor. The event, which showcased the full-force of Eurocopter Malaysia’s capabilities and resources, was witnessed by over 100 guests, made up of Cabinet Ministers, high-level representatives from the industry, loyal customers and partners.

Eurocopter Malaysia (ECM), a subsidiary of the world’s No1 helicopter manufacturer’s was represented by its Managing Director, Philippe Lubrano. Also present was Phillippe Harache, Executive Vice-President of Eurocopter Group in France. Eurocopter Group is a division of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), the global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. EADS was represented by head of EADS International, Christian Duhain.

In his speech, Philippe Harache emphasised the company’s commitment to optimally support customers in the region, “Eurocopter is the FIRST helicopter manufacturer to set up a complete maintenance and support facility in Malaysia with amenities located in Subang and Kerteh in the West and in Miri and Kuching in East Malaysia. Through this we have made Eurocopter Malaysia’s technically outstanding helicopters more accessible to customers, while also ensuring the cost-efficient operation of these helicopters.

Continuing he said, “In addition, we have a dedicated team of more than 140 personnel working in this new state-of-the-art facility.”

“Since its establishment in 2002, Eurocopter Malaysia has delivered more than 37 aircrafts. With paid-up capital of RM10 million and investments up to RM35 million, the company recorded a revenue of RM273 million in 2005, a marked increase from the RM64 million reported in 2004. In our last quarter now, I am happy to announce that the positive trend continues. Eurocopter Malaysia currently holds the largest market share in aviation industry in Malaysia”, Philippe Harache stated.

Eurocopter Group today accounts for almost 40% of the civil and parapublic turbine helicopter fleet currently in service in Asia-Pacific. There is enormous growth potential in the region, both in civil and military helicopter aviation in the years to come.

In conjunction with the launch, Eurocopter also announced Phase II of Eurocopter Malaysia infrastructure development. Phase II will see an extension being built to the Regional Maintenance Centre. Work on the new hanger is expected to begin in early 2007. With the additional 30,000sq²ft space, Eurocopter Malaysia will be able to house the entire back office operations within close proximity and cater for bigger aircrafts families, such as the Super Puma. This will also allow Eurocopter Malaysia to take on heavy maintenance jobs such as G Check. Other facilities include a new laboratory and specialized workshops. A total of 13 types of Eurocopter helicopters are certified in Malaysia. Eurocopter Malaysia has exceeded its rigorous industry standards with the sanction of local and international airworthiness authorities and is qualified to perform maintenance for all helicopters in the Eurocopter family:

ECM offers a unique apprentice programme through an alliance with Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (MIAT). To date over 40 students have completed the programme and an additional 100 students have been identified to be in the program for 2007.

The event also saw five (5) apprentices receiving their certificates following the completion of their six-month apprenticeship program. Mohd Bakri B. Mohd Sahib, Mohd Noor Rudin B. Manan, Engku Emri B. Engku Abas, Azmi B. Ariffin, Ibrahim Hazly B. Mohamad Yusof and Muhammad Afarukhuddin B. Basrowi received their certificates from the Honourable Prime Minister.

The company is also an Authorized Training Centre for apprenticeship in aviation industry. It also conducts a wide range of courses - pilot recurrence training, pilot type rating and license without type rating (LWTR) for engineers.

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 13,000 people. In 2005, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.2 billion euros, orders for 401 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 16 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 9,500 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,500 customers in 139 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

Incorporated in August 2002, the company has speedily established itself as the most prominent Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) service centre in Malaysia. It has also successfully developed the “Smart Partnership” approach through its local purveyor development program.

Eurocopter Malaysia provides a broad spectrum of services, ranging from scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, aircraft modifications, (retrofits, painting, interior refurbishment and customization) as well as logistics support (spare parts, repairs and overhaul, ground handling and hangarage. The company’s main commitments are large inventories, 24 hours services and continuous improvement of delivery times.

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