Tue, Jan 20, 2009
588 Helicopters Delivered On Year
Eurocopter noted with some pride Tuesday it held onto the title
of world’s leading helicopter manufacturer in 2008, stating
it "fully met its 2008 objectives for helicopter sales and
deliveries."
The company reported orders for 715 new helos in 2008, the bulk
of which (340) were for the AS350/355 Ecureuil/Fennec/EC130 family.
That figure also includes sales of 123 EC135 models, and 12 new
orders for the NH90 multi-role military helicopter.
Eurocopter reported deliveries of 588 civil and military
helicopters, leaving an order backlog worth over $18 billion US. A
full 64 percent of Eurocopter's sales and deliveries are from
export markets.
"Although 2009 economic trends are unpredictable and will see
cancellations, Eurocopter is confident that its backlog and unique
business model should be major assets in retaining its solidity
through 2009 and beyond," the company stated.
"Our comprehensive and diverse
product and services portfolio has once again proven to be
perfectly adapted to customer requirements and their broad scope of
mission versatility," said Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling. "In 2008,
we achieved another excellent sales result."
Eurocopter made technical progress during the year by fully
qualifying the Tiger in its HAP and UHT variants, and by ramping up
NH90 production with first deliveries from the Finnish and
Australian assembly lines. The company also delivered its 50th
UH-72A Lakota to the US Army, and launched production of the first
EC175 prototype co-developed with Chinese partners.
"I cannot emphasize strongly enough that our global industrial
strategy is a backbone of our market and business strength,"
Bertling said. "...As I mentioned last year, Eurocopter is well on
its way to becoming a full services provider."
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