Airbus and Boeing are both benefiting from the engineering and manufacturing skills of north-west Spain
Two members of Basque aerospace association Hegan have been selected to manufacture carbonfibre components and structures for the Airbus A350 XWB. The contracts establish Aernnova and SK10 as risk-sharing tier-one suppliers to the European airframer's newest programme.
SK10, part of the Alcor group, has won a contract to manufacture the A350's belly fairing, a 170m2 (1,830ft2) structure based on a metal grille and carbonfibre lining. The contract has a potential value of €1 billion. Aernnova's contract, with a potential value of €3 billion, covers the overall design and production of the horizontal stabiliser and elevator.
Aernnova is the name taken by Gamesa Aeronautica following its acquisition in 2006 by a consortium led by the Caja Castilla La Mancha bank. "We have developed [new] strategies, many oriented in two broad areas," says Luis Pérez Oliva, Aernnova's senior vice-president, commercial. "One is to become a global company and the second is to optimise processes to improve productivity and efficiency." The Vitoria-headquartered company has already opened offices in Mexico and the USA and expanded operations in Brazil.
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| Basque companies SK10 and Aernnova have deals to supply A350 components and structures |
Business falls into three main categories - assembly of aerostructures, engineering and components (including composite and metal parts). Within the aerostructures business, which is expected to generate around €300 million of revenue this year, the Embraer 170 and 190 programmes are a major driver of volume. Aernnova also assembles aerostructures for the Airbus A380, the Bombardier CRJ family, the Embraer ERJ-145 and the Sikorsky S-92.
ENGINEERING GROWTH
The engineering business is expected to generate c120 million this year, with growth of 30% expected next year. Capabilities expanded in May with the acquisition of Barcelona-based Serra Soldadura, a manufacturing engineering specialist.
Among Aernnova's major engineering projects is a collaborative venture with Boeing - possibly geared toward the next generation of narrowbodies, although Perez Oliva declines to provide specifics. The Boeing project deepens a relationship under which Aernnova has contributed to design of the 747 LCF and 747-8 Freighter.
In the components area, revenue of €150 million is projected for this year. "Engineering and components are the two key areas that will drive our growth in the future," says Perez Oliva.
REVENUE RISES
Total revenue has risen by 60% over a five years, while employee numbers have leapt to more than 3,000. This growth came despite delays to the A380 programme, on which Aernnova is responsible for the internal metal structure of the rear fuselage section (Section 19) and for the leading edge, trailing edge and box joint of the horizontal stabiliser. "Obviously we have been suffering quite a lot in terms of the delays to this programme," says Perez Oliva.
Delays to the A380 have also had an impact at ITP, the Basque engine subassemblies joint venture between Sener Aeronautica and Rolls-Royce. In response to revised production schedules on both the A380 and the Boeing 787 - as well as worsening market conditions - the Zamudio-based company has cut 180,000 working hours from its 2009 schedule, representing 125 staff jobs and about 50 temporary staff.
Including its maintenance activity, ITP draws 60% of its business from the military sector and 40% from civil, but chief executive Ignacio Mataix expects this split to reverse over the next four to five years. He also expects manufacturing, industrial and engineering business to grow to the point where maintenance accounts for just 20% of volume.
The Basque aerospace sector is unlikely to escape the recession, as evidenced by ITP's action plan. However, the sector can draw on a number of advantages, according to Hegan, which promotes co-operation, training and certification within the sector, represents its interests to local and national government, and seeks to assist member companies in gaining access to financing. "The companies [here] are very modern, dynamic, diversified and multi-client," says Hegan's general manager José Juez.
Airbus, a fairly near neighbour, is a strong supporter of the Basque aerospace sector. Despite the woes caused by programme delays, the sector's A380 involvement has led to investment of €300 million and will generate €3 billion in revenue, says Hegan.
With the A350 contracts awarded to Aernnova and SK10, a crucial relationship appears to be strengthening.
Source: Flight International
