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COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE - PRESSE INFORMATION - PRESS RELEASE - COMUNICADO DE PRENSA
GOOD BUSINESS YEAR IN 2004 FOR EUROCOPTER, WHICH HAS CONSIDERABLY EXPANDED ITS ORDER BOOK AND STRENGTHENED ITS No. 1 POSITION
Marignane, 25 January 2005
In 2004, Eurocopter secured its position as the world's No. 1 with orders for 332 new helicopters and a turnover up by 7%, while leading the way once again in the civil and parapublic sectors, and strengthening the export prospects of the NH90.
Order Book
The following orders were placed for production helicopters: 39 EC120 Colibris, 146 from the Ecureuil/Fennec/EC130 family, 67 EC135s, 13 from the BK117/EC145 family, 32 from the Dauphin/Panther/EC155 family, 15 from the Super Puma/CougarEC225/EC 725 family and 20 NH90s. The total number of orders taken - including new and pre-owned (35) helicopters, Customer Support services and R & D activities - was valued at 3.24 billion euros, up by 26%. In terms of value, 70% of these orders were for export, and the remaining 30% for domestic use in France, Germany, and Spain. The breakdown was 51% for the military sector and 49% for the civil/parapublic sector. The consolidated orders for production helicopters were worth 1.7 billion euros, an increase of 21.4%
Turnover
The turnover increased by 7% in 2004, representing a total of 2.78 billion euros. The main contributors were the delivery of 279 helicopters (49%), Customer Support activities (35%), and R & D and Miscellaneous activities (16%). Exports accounted for 56% compared to 44% for domestic use in France, Germany, and Spain. The civil and parapublic sector generated 53% of the turnover, and the military sector 47%.
In his New Year's greetings to the Press, Eurocopter President Fabrice Brégier noted that "These improvements are the result of the strategies adopted by the Group and the firm intent of Eurocopter to become the world reference for helicopters." Mr. Brégier added: "We will spare no effort to stay in the lead in our sector and to sustain our development."
STRATEGIC ROADBOOK
Customer Satisfaction In 2004, Eurocopter's efforts to improve customer satisfaction have been crowned with success, and the company has now joined the leaders in its category. These improvements concern: The quality of the aircraft delivered (tending to "zero defects") The delivery lead times The shipping of spare parts Satisfying the specific needs of each customer by: o A unique business interface o A global offer of products/services (PbH, etc.).
This drive will be continued in 2005, notably with the interconnection of 3 logistic hubs (respectively in Hong Kong, Dallas and Roissy), improved Overhaul & Repair cycles, prior training of advisory teams for better anticipation of the needs of each group of customers, and optimum relations with the equipment manufacturers based on the concept of "Shared Success, Shared Effort".
Lines of Growth The strategy for growth adopted by Eurocopter is founded on the excellence of its products and services, combined with an ambitious industrial deployment strategy. In Australia, the acquisition of a local aeronautical company culminated in the creation of a new subsidiary. Named Australian Aerospace, the subsidiary now ranks 4th in the aeronautical and defense industry in Australia, and is a strong platform for the Air 87(Tiger) and Air 9000 (NH90) contracts. In the USA, the inauguration of American Eurocopter's new site in Columbus, Mississippi, will strengthen the concept of a US-based venture. American Eurocopter is prepared to meet the needs of the Homeland Security Department (Border Patrol, US Cost Guard), and the FAA has initiated the industrial certification of the Ecureuil/AStar light helicopter. In conjunction with EADS North America, Eurocopter is ready to submit a bid for the US Air Force Personal Recovery Vehicle Project. In China, an assembly line has been set up for the EC120/HC120 to meet the need for a light helicopter for pilot training and for the civil sector. The development of this helicopter has been confirmed. Eurocopter is planning to open a subsidiary in the near future, and the joint development of a new helicopter with AVIC will start up in 2005. Development and partnership prospects with countries aspiring to build up their industrial base may also open up in the mid-term. And who is better placed than Eurocopter to offer not only high-performance and innovative products but also sustainable industrial investments and equitable partnerships. The subsidiaries, which are a key factor in Eurocopter's strategy, took orders in 2004 worth more than a billion euros. And the excellent performance of American Eurocopter must be cited, the subsidiary winning orders for 101 helicopters in the USA. Following Spain's selection of the Tiger, Eurocopter has started the industrial process for the Tiger and EC 135 for the benefit of Eurocopter España - the third cornerstone of the Group.
Staying in the Lead in the Civil and Parapublic Sector In keeping with its winning strategy of "The Right Product at the Right Time", Eurocopter is now marketing upgraded products, such as the AS 350B3 Ecureuil, the EC 135, and the AS 365 N3 Dauphin or EC 225. The EC 135 fully meets the requirements of its EMS, police, and corporate market sector, where it is proving to be a best seller. As for heavy helicopters, the latest version of the Super Puma, the EC 225, has won acclaim in the Oil & Gas and VIP sectors. After making its maiden flight in June 2004, the first production EC 225 received IFR certification in July, and was delivered to the first VIP customer in December. And the first delivery to the Oil & Gas sector is due in July 2005.
MAJOR MILITARY PROGRAMS
Tiger
The European Tiger combat helicopter was qualified in 2004 - the French HAP version in March and the German UHT version in August 2004. December marked the launch of the HAD Tiger for Spain and France. As for Australia's ARH Tiger, the first two machines were delivered in Australia in December. In 2005, Eurocopter will keep up the deliveries and help the 4 customers with the operational preparation of their helicopters.
The NH90 Wins Success Outside Europe
With the signature by the Sultanate of Oman for 20 NH90s and the selection of the machine by Australia for its Air 9000 program, the NH90 is now the reference in its category for tactical and naval transport helicopters. In 2005, Eurocopter will proceed with the qualification of the NH90 and continue to promote it on the export market.
PROSPECTS FOR 2005
In 2005, Eurocopter should significantly increase its turnover and consolidate its leadership. The drive to enhance customer satisfaction will be kept up in 2005 to consolidate the results obtained in 2004. The operational preparation of the Tiger and NH90 in the national and export countries will also receive special attention. The policy of non-stop innovation will continue to apply so that Eurocopter can maintain its technological edge, which is the prerequisite for sustainable development, as is the company's strategic deployment, which will also be continued in 2005.
Eurocopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2003, EADS generated revenues of € 30.1 billion and employed a workforce of about 109,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world’s largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the second-largest missile producer in the global market. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.
For further information, please contact: Jean-Louis ESPES Tel.: +33 (0) 4 42 85 95 55 Fax: +33 (0) 4 42 85 95 64 Eurocopter Aéroport International Marseille Provence 13725 Marignane Cedex – France – Christina GOTZHEIN Tel. : +49 (0) 89 6000 6488 Fax : +49 (0) 89 6000 4437 Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH D-81663 Munich – Germany -
Eduardo CONSEJO Tel : + 34 91 511 04 70 Fax : + 34 91 511 04 69 Eurocopter España, S.A Carretera Barrio de la Fortuna, 10 28044 Cuatro Vientos, Madrid -Spain-
Website : www.eurocopter.com