Fokker Aerostructures expects to finalise its final risk-share arrangements for the Airbus A380 in the next couple of months, said president Kees de Koning.
Now one of the world's top 10 first-tier airframe suppliers, Aerostructures has already taken up a large part of the 2.5% that parent Stork Aerospace originally committed to the project following its selection in May to supply fuselage sections. But it still needs another major piece of the aircraft and discussions are under way.
Favoured component is the fixed leading edge of the wing, a part Fokker already makes for the A340. The talks have extended to other wing parts, however, and to electrical subsystems.
Since Stork bought the activities of the bankrupt Fokker in 1996 it has transformed the former aircraft-maker. It has dropped the manufacturing of regional aircraft and concentrated on its role as a programme partner for the major integrators, according to de Koning.
Over the past four years Stork Aerospace growth has averaged 15% per annum, staff count increasing from 2,200 to 4,500. Turnover in 2000 was $510 million. Fokker Aerostructures works with several major airframers, including Cessna and Raytheon, and is a risk-share partner on the Gulfstream V, for which it has a 5-10% share depending on the configuration of individual aircraft. It manufactures the complete empennage and composite floor panels for the GV.
Approach
Koning says his firm takes a two-tier approach to arranging risk-share deals, trying to separate the design and build part of the contract from the provision of risk capital. "We look at investing in an aircraft separately from the business case for getting involved on the manufacturing side," he explains.
There will probably be further consolidation amongst first tier suppliers, according to de Koning, and Stork is determined to be on the buying rather than the selling side. "This is inherently a good business, we have funds available for acquisitions, and we want to be one of the leaders if consolidation does take place."
Source: Flight Daily News
