Celebrates Anniversary With Record Sales

It was one year ago Wednesday that Hawker Beechcraft Corporation took the helm of two leading aircraft manufacturers, obtaining the storied Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft lines from former owner Raytheon.

The anniversary comes at an incredibly exciting time for HBC, company officials say, with a recently announced record backlog in 2007, record international sales, an increased workforce to over 9,000 employees, and an expanded product line with five new aircraft certified during the year.

As ANN reported, on March 26, 2007 the company formerly called Raytheon Aircraft Company was acquired from Raytheon Company by GS Capital Partners, an affiliate of Goldman Sachs and Onex Partners. Raytheon Company announced it had signed a definitive agreement to sell Raytheon Aircraft Company on December 21, 2006.

“There has always been great pride in the Hawker and Beechcraft names, and as Hawker Beechcraft Corporation we have returned to the company’s heritage,” said Jim Schuster, chairman and CEO of Hawker Beechcraft Corporation. “The personal pride demonstrated by all of our employees is what makes us a great company. This has been one of the most successful years in our company’s history and, on behalf of every one of our more than 9,000 employees worldwide, I am proud to say that we are Hawker Beechcraft Corporation.”

Although the celebration honors the company’s first year as Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, the company has a rich history as a pioneer in the aviation industry. In 1932, Beech Aircraft Corporation was founded in Wichita, KS by Walter H. Beech when he left an executive position with Curtiss-Wright Corporation to start manufacturing airplanes from scratch with his wife and business partner, Olive Ann Beech.

Last year, the company celebrated its 75th year in the aviation business.

“The Hawker and Beechcraft brands have revolutionized the aviation industry and continue today,” said Schuster. “Our company’s values have not changed since the company was founded in 1932. The Beech philosophy has always been one of quality, customer satisfaction and business integrity. These values continue as our guiding principles today.” 

FMI: www.hawkerbeechcraft.com