On the Record with
DEAN BORGMAN, PRESIDENT, SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT

Sikorsky Sees Itself 'Well Positioned'

Sikorsky President Dean Borgman

Ask Sikorsky president Dean Borgman if he will be a player in consolidating the helicopter industry, and he replies with an emphatic "Yes!"

Ask him how it will happen, and he thinks out loud: "There's us, Boeing military and Bell. Everybody wants to buy, and nobody wants to sell!"

And that's how the situation is likely to remain while all three are doing well.

Sikorsky's outlook is strong for at least the next 10 years, Borgman says, as Black Hawks not only remain in production but also embark on remanufacturing programs for both the U.S. Army and Navy, the giant CH-53heads for a major life extension program, the RAH-66 Comanche scout helicopter heads towards production, the 19-passenger S-92 begins to win orders, and the S-76 remains a worthwhile piece of business.

In all, Sikorsky expects to deliver 80 to 90 helicopters this year, Borgman said.

Against that background Sikorsky is refining its manufacturing processes for more efficient production and customization of Black Hawks for different customers. A good example is the 12-passenger S-76, where Sikorsky has now farmed out fuselage production to Aero Vodochody in the Czech Republic (35% owned by Boeing), and completions to Keystone Helicopter in West Chester, PA.

Customer service is also coming in for attention, with an emphasis on developing e-commerce applications. "We've improved our site and our portals, but none of it is happening as fast as I want it to," said Borgman. "It's relatively small, but it will develop." One success, though, has been procurement through "reverse auctions" on the Internet. "That has worked very well for us," he said.

By John Morris