JUSTIN WASTNAGE / LONDON
The UK's B-N Group has had its second consecutive profitable year since being rescued from bankruptcy in 2000. Provisional 2001-02 figures show the group's profit was £500,000 ($775,000) on a turnover of £8 million.
The results come as the group broadens its activities, aiming to earn about a third of its income from non-manufacturing sources within five years. It produces the Britten-Norman range of utility aircraft and has signed a deal with French aero-engine manufacturer SMA to undertake installations and retrofits of its diesel range.
B-N's head of flight engineering Mark Wilson says the company is keen to undertake more subcontracting and maintenance work. The company was acquired by Alawi Zawawi of Oman in 2000, before which it concentrated on sales of the Defender 4000 twin-turboprop to police forces. But Wilson says the Defender market is too volatile, with sales falling during periods of political stability.
B-N has had numerous enquiries from the world's law enforcement agencies following the 11 September terrorist attacks, but has yet to receive any firm orders. The company has embarked on an "education process" in North America, where police forces "do not understand" the role of fixed-wing aircraft with slow cruising speeds. Wilson predicts up to five Defender sales before the end of 2004.
B-N is to start full production by the end of August, following the signing of a subcontracting deal with Romanian airframe supplier Romaero for 24 aircraft over two years. The contract covers the civilian Islander, but with the option to use slots for the Defender. B-N is also talking to operators of the three-engined Trislander variant about fleet replacement. Romaero would produce new Trislanders in parallel to the other aircraft.
Source: Flight International
