Dutch partner Stork consults receiver in bid to maintain deliveries of landing gear
NH Industries is anxiously awaiting the outcome of negotiations on the future of SP Aerospace, the bankrupt supplier of landing gear for its NH90 transport helicopter.
SP Aerospace is partnered with Stork to support the Dutch element of the NH90, in which Stork has a 5.5% stake, providing complete tail sections, cabin doors and wheel housings. Stork says it is in "consultation with the receiver in order to minimise the potential delay in delivery of the landing gears".
It points out that the NH90 contracts binding the two Netherlands companies in the programme date back to the early 1990s "and have, in some cases, been supplemented by clauses that enable Stork, in situations like this, to start up operations as soon as possible".
The situation is complicated by the reported presence of a second bidder for all or part of SP Aerospace - UK landing-gear manufacturer APPH, a subsidiary of the BBA Aviation Services Group. BBA had no comment on a potential takeover of SP Aerospace. A source close to the company says the issue was "extremely sensitive at this point".
Stork says it expects the receiver to decide "within a week" on what will happen to SP Aerospace. "Our main interest is to continue the supply of landing gears for the NH90," it says. "If a quick decision can be taken [by the receiver] there should be no material delays in supply".
The NH90 entered series production early this year. Contracts total 325 aircraft, 253 for the partner nations - France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal, and 72 export orders, including Greece, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
JULIAN MOXON / LONDON
Source: Flight International
