Airbus is conducting "intensive discussions" with its suppliers during the show to ensure that they do not "make their own assumptions" about delivery numbers, chief executive Tom Enders has revealed.
Speaking at an EADS briefing, Enders noted the danger that suppliers could fall "out of sync" if their expectations regarding deliveries differed from the airframer's. Operating as "one convoy" was extremely important, he said.
Discussing Airbus's response to the downturn, Enders commented, "It's not like we've done nothing." He cited the decision to reduce production of single-aisle aircraft from 36 a month to 34 and to freeze production of long-range aircraft at 8.5 a month.
However, he is aware of a possibility that suppliers - many of which also supply the beleaguered automotive industry - could "get nervous" due to the difficult situation they find themselves in. Hence Airbus is trying to "pre-empt" assumptions they might make. Enders defines Airbus's task as that of convincing suppliers that its production plans are the result of "robust planning" and are "not built on sand."
Other OEMs face the same issues in their supplier relationships, according to Enders.
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Source: Flight Daily News
