Bombardier Belfast fights weak dollar
Strategy Bombardier Aerospace Belfast is planning to adapt from its traditional manufacturing role to remain competitive in the face of the weak US dollar and lower-cost manufacturing sites. The former Shorts facility in Northern Ireland is a dollar-denominated business and last year set out plans to cut 645 jobs. Vice-president and general manager Michael Ryan does not rule out further job cuts, saying that a decision will be taken in the next quarter. The company is increasing its customer support, spares, repairs and aftermarket work. "We can't survive doing the things that we always did. Within a Belfast context we're never going to survive by only being a manufacturing company," he says. The business is also focusing on innovative manufacturing through advanced technologies and leaner processes, and has invested $9 million in composites, opening a resin transfer moulding facility last October.
Singapore Technologies plans growth
Results Singapore Technologies is planning further growth by extending its core capabilities and boosting its technological capability as well as making strategic acquisitions. The group posted a 24% increase in net profit for the first quarter of 2007 (see graph) and its orderbook stands at an all-time high of S$9.7 billion ($6.4 billion). "Some of these newly secured contracts are long term in nature, reflecting the group's strong market position," says chief executive Tan Pheng Hock.
Airbus workers stage new strikes
Industrial action Workers at Airbus plants in France staged wildcat walkouts last week to protest against the cancellation of an annual profit-sharing bonus and the job losses planned under the manufacturer's Power8 restructuring plan. The strikes were timed immediately before parent company EADS's annual general meeting in Amsterdam on Friday which was also the last day of campaigning before the French presidential election run-off.
Messier Services streamlines French facility
Maintenance Messier Services France has won Boeing-approved supplier status after reorganising its commercial landing gear and equipment shops to improve efficiency. The company's Molsheim facility now operates according to lean principles, the company says, adding that another objective of the changes was to "better align services to customer requirements". The facility is the second of four Messier Services facilities to be approved by Boeing for maintenance, repair and overhaul.
EDO increases 2007 forecast
Earnings US-based manufacturer EDO is forecasting 2007 revenues of between $1.05 billion and $1.1 billion for 2007 after recording strong results for the first quarter of 2007. The company posted $6 million net earnings for the first quarter of 2007, compared with a net loss of $900,000 in the same period a year earlier, on revenues which more than doubled to $255 million. The company's order backlog has doubled compared with the same period a year earlier to hit $878 million as of the end of March. Chief executive James Smith says the company has streamlined its management structure as well as addressing the "significant non-operational issues affecting earnings". At the same time it has continued to invest in research and development and acquisitions.
Source: Flight International
