ROLLS-ROYCE hopes to boost the sales prospects for its Trent turbofan family in the Asia-Pacific region, with the signing up of Japanese trading company Marubeni as the programme's latest risk-sharing partner.
The UK manufacturer says that Marubeni will "-co-operate on a range of activities to enhance the sales opportunities of R-R commercial aero engines, especially in Asia-Pacific". R-R adds that the agreement primarily concerns the Trent programme. Marubeni has been assisting R-R with strategic planning for several years.
Marubeni joins eight risk-sharing partners, which hold a combined 24% stake in the Trent. These include Japan's Ishikawajima and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
The Trent 700 and 800 have enjoyed strong sales in Asia-Pacific, powering the Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 respectively. R-R claims its overall market share in the region to be nearly 50%.
The company's marketing efforts are becoming increasingly focused on the Trent 900, offered for the Boeing 747-500/600X, the primary market for which is likely to be among Asia-Pacific carriers.
Source: Flight International
