PZL-Swidnik predicts it will break even this year after making swingeing cuts to its workforce. The Polish state-owned helicopter manufacturer lost $3.5 million last year on sales of $40 million, but expects no deficit this year, despite forecasting revenues to stay flat.
"We expect a profit because we are reducing costs," says the company, which has been earmarked for privatisation by the end of the year. The workforce has been cut from 4,000 people in 1997 to 2,600.
Swidnik will soon deliver the second fuselage for the Bell/Agusta AB139 helicopter programme, with the 15-seater due to make its maiden flight this year. The firm is to deliver six fuselages this year.
It is also supplying the fuselage for Agusta's A109 Power helicopter, with production running at three aircraft a month. Other aerostructures contracts cover the supply of wing boxes for the ATR 72 turboprop and doors for Airbus aircraft.
Swidnik may get more work if the government continues plans to acquire up to 50 attack helicopters, with Bell, Agusta and Eurocopter expected to submit bids. "We are talking with Bell, but nothing has started yet," it says.
Source: Flight International
