Nordam has been licensed by Lockheed Martin to manufacture and repair metal and composite bonded components for the F-16, including control surfaces, doors and wing and fuselage structures. The deal will boost the company's military manufacturing revenues and help diversify its business.
Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Nordam expects revenues to rise 27% this year, primarily due to increased demand for thrust reversers and cabin interiors for business aircraft. Meanwhile, its traditional airline repair business, which was struggling, is "doing quite well", says chief operating officer John Uzeckaj, but the company wants to diversify to protect itself from a downturn.
The F-16 agreement includes access to Lockheed-owned tooling and technical data.
With the corporate jet market booming, Nordam is also manoeuvring to grow its business with Embraer. The company has opened a joint-venture facility with Jet Star Aeronautic Interiors near the manufacturer in San Jose dos Campos, Brazil to support its contract to supply cabinetry for the Legacy 600, and is bidding to supply the interiors for Phenom jets, Uzeckaj says.
Nordam has also signed a two-year extension to its contract to supply cabinetry for the Pilatus PC-12.
Source: Flight International
