French aerospace manufacturer Latécoère saw a 34% increase in turnover in 2005 despite delays in deliveries on programmes originally scheduled for the end of the year. “This steep rise was accompanied by pressure on commodity prices and costs incurred in transferring projects to low-cost subsidiaries, but the impact on margin was limited, and earnings should be up around 15% on 2004,” Latécoère says. The group spent g82 million ($98.5 million) on research and development in 2005, representing 23% of its turnover, compared with 35% the previous year, as it invested in contracts on the Airbus A380, Boeing 787 and Dassault Falcon 7X.
Source: Flight International
