French aerospace manufacturer Latecoère saw its 2004 revenues jump to €260.3 million ($338 million), a third higher than the previous year. The growth "reflects stepped-up production across all programmes, especially for Embraer, despite concern over problems plaguing [Embraer 170 launch operator] US Airways", Latecoère says.
The company hopes for "strong growth" in 2005 and 2006. "Our strategy is to form partnerships on the major programmes," it says, adding: "We are already in contact with Airbus about the A350."
The Toulouse-headquartered company has partnership agreements in place to design and manufacture structures for the Airbus A380, Boeing 7E7, Dassault Falcon 7X, and Embraer's 170/190 family.
Latecoère's backlog at the end of December stood at just over g1 billion, 22% higher than at the end of 2003. The acquisition of electrical harness producer Gespac Maroc Novatech in August through Latecoère's subsidiary LATelec, boosted sales by €7.4 million.
Source: Flight International
