Capua-based Oma Sud demonstrates many of the key issues Italy’s aerospace small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) are facing. The company has grown significantly since 2003, when it was bought by president Valter Proietti, formerly of Alenia Aeronautica. Turnover has grown from €1.5 million ($1.8 million) to €6.5 million in 2004. Proietti forecasts €8.5 million this year and €10 million in 2006.
The company has also boosted its employee numbers – from 87 in 2003 to 145 today – in particular expanding its design capabilities as part of its drive to produce a more complete, integrated product, a strategy that Proietti sees as vital to the survival of SMEs in the industry.
The emergence of markets such as China provides opportunities, as well as threats in the form of increased competitiveness, making it more important than ever for SMEs to make use of their technological know-how by offering advanced products to their suppliers, he says.
A lack of adequate financing from Italian banks, reluctant to invest in a market with lengthy programme times and “no guarantees” is a major problem, according to Proietti, who suggests that a public/private institution that could provide guarantees to banks on behalf of SMEs would be a solution allowing them to borrow the capital needed to commit to new programmes. “If this existed, my company would have twice the turnover and twice the number of employees,” he says.
Collaboration outside the company is also crucial for success, Proietti says: Oma Sud is in discussions with three of its suppliers to team up as part of its drive to offer a more complete product to the market. The company is considering a share exchange, partial acquisition, joint venture or tie-up with the three other Italian companies that would allow them to cut costs by amalgamating diverse capabilities, and sharing research and development costs to ensure they stay ahead technologically, leaving them better placed to target new international programmes.
The company already supplies airframe parts to Airbus for the A380 and Boeing for the 787 and is in talks for work on the A350.
Diversification for Oma Sud has also come in the form of entry into the general aviation market. It expects to fly its five-seat, twin-engined Skycar next year and produce 24-30 of the aircraft a year once production begins, probably in mid-2007.
Source: Flight International
