AERO Vodochody launch first English Newsletter
Making headline news is the acquisition of Rotortech Aero Composites Ltd in the UK by private equity group Penta, owners of AERO Vodochody.“Successful completion of the first stage of the project of changes targeted especially on stabilization, increasing efficiency and on cost reductions represented a key condition for us to recreate resources necessary to retain and increase competitiveness of AERO Vodochody a.s. (further referred to as AERO). We will practically immediately invest all resources into a large-scale modernization of our technology and restoration of our machinery. We have launched a next stage of the project of changes,” said Peter Ondro, President of AERO. The objective of AERO is to advance to a higher level – to create conditions, which will help us acquire new complex aerostructures orders, extensive in volume, with higher value added, which will fully utilize our broad potential, including systems installations, design stages and other spheres. “What we need most at the moment is to introduce the production of composite parts for our aerostructures programs and assemblies of mid-sized aircraft fuselages,” stated President.
PRODUCTION OF COMPOSITES
At the beginning of September, the Czech-and- Slovak private equity group Penta, owner of AERO, concluded its first acquisition in Western Europe by purchasing the British company Rotortech Composites Limited, which manufactures composites for the aircraft industry. The newly established company will be called Rotortech Aero Composites, and after restructuring, it will probably become part of AERO. Immediately after the contract was signed, a new management team was established in Rotortech, comprising of representatives of Penta and AERO.“The acquisition of Rotortech confirms Penta’s long-term interest in the aircraft industry. AERO is ready to increase the volume of production and compete with leading suppliers in the aircraft industry. Acquisition of the composites technology through Rotortech will boost AERO’s position on the world’s market of aerostructures and help acquire new contracts,” said Marek Dospiva, partner of Penta. “Increasing the share of composites in the aircraft technology is a global long-term trend. This capability represents a key condition for us to win new aerostructures programs. We have thus gained the know-how of this advanced technology, which we had not had before and which will make it easier for us to introduce production of composites directly in AERO. At the same time, the deliveries for the S-76 Program will improve,” said President Ondro. The costs on the composite plant assembly, which should be completed in Vodochody in 2008, are estimated in the amount of USD 10 million.
The main advantage of composite parts is its combination of strength and weight compared to classic sheet metal parts used in the production of primary aircraft assemblies. Composites are made of an organic metal or ceramic matrix strengthened by fibers or suspended solids and belong to advanced materials more and more often used not only in the aircraft industry.
FURTHER INVESTMENT
“This year’s investment in AERO will reach up to approximately USD 7,5 million. The main part will be targeted on modernization and completion of our current technology and machinery. Progressive fundamental modernization and consolidation of our production workplaces and other facilities, launched in 2007, should enable e.g. to double the volume of production in the Detail Part Fabrication Center, keeping almost the same number of employees,” said Josef Kadlec, AERO Vice-president for Operations. This year’s investment covers above all modernization of machine tools (3 and 5-axe machining) and heat treatment oven, profile hot joggling extrusion, tube production, testing devices for wire harnesses, machine riveting, composite machining, concentration of the fabrication center, etc. The investment program also includes expenditures on the work environment, including construction works at the Vodochody Airport.NEW DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
The Company management at the same time decided on the continuation of current and launching new development projects. “We do not want to comment on this topic for the moment,” concluded President Ondro.RELATED LINKS
- AERO Vodochody Website- Full AERO Vodochody Newsletter September 2007 (.pdf | 308Kb)
