Company focuses on V-22 restructure, lean manufacturing and tiltrotor applications
Bell Helicopter's new chief executive Mike Redenbaugh has outlined a three-part plan to rebuild the US rotorcraft manufacturer's struggling business, focusing on meeting current contractual commitments, modernising the company's civil product line and implementing more cost-efficient engineering and supply processes.
Redenbaugh says his predecessor John Murphey had been successful in "stabilising" Bell's business with the restructuring of the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey programme, with the aim of saving $15 million. The implementation of "six sigma" and lean manufacturing initiatives are already showing results, with the production time for wire harnesses halved to 20 days, a 40% cut in floor space, and a 25% improvement in productivity.
Bell is also keen to leverage off its investment in tiltrotor technology with new platform applications. Redenbaugh says the company remains committed to the Bell/Agusta BA609 and, with the expected certification shortly of the AB139, additional resources will be freed up to concentrate on the nine-seat civil tiltrotor.
The former Honeywell executive sees even stronger potential for unmanned air vehicle applications, building on the US Coast Guard's recent selection of the Eagle Eye tiltrotor for its Deepwater re-equipment programme.
The company's second major goal is to reverse the steady decline in the sales of civil machines, initially with a series of retrofit, modernisation and upgrades of its single-engined model 206 and 407 and twin 412, 427 and 430 aircraft. The company's longer-term focus is to leverage off its maple technology investment to develop "an all new helicopter", says Redenbaugh.
Bell's third major thrust will be "installing robust processes to help Bell dramatically advance its competitiveness. We have the technological vision and need to surround that with good processes in engineering and supply chain management. Cost is the loudest voice in today's aerospace industry and original equipment manufacturers need to take cost out," says Redenbaugh.
Source: Flight International
