Turbomeca is working to rectify serious problems in its supply chain that led to parent company Snecma missing its deliveries target for the first half of 2004. The shortfall was revealed in the first half-year figures to be released by the French manufacturer since privatisation.
Snecma group, which held its initial public offering in June, recorded sales of c3.27 billion ($4 billion) in the six months to June, up 8.1% on the same period last year. Of this total, propulsion sales account for 62.5% and are up 9.9% on the first six months of 2003. Helicopter engine deliveries have slowed in the past month, due to problems with suppliers. The group recorded total deliveries of 668 engines, up from 594 in the same period last year, but down from the targeted 700.
Jean-Paul B‚chat, Snecma group chairman, says total helicopter engine deliveries for the six months to June reached 281, down from 342 for the same period last year. The shortfall was caused by "problems in the supply chain, chiefly because the forged casings went missing", he says. The engines affected were Ariel and Arrius turboshafts destined for Eurocopter twins. B‚chat says Snecma aims to rectify the problems and recover to its forecast 672 Turbomeca engine deliveries for the year. "We have to better manage our own supply chain to catch up the June delay," he says.
Source: Flight International
