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 ten years, Borgman
says. Black Hawks not only remain in production but remanufacturing
programs for the U.S. Army and Navy could keep the factory busy
for the next 25 years; the giant CH-53 heads for a major life extension
program; the RAH-66 Comanche scout helicopter prepares for a major
program design review in July on its way to 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 says.
The focus here at Paris is on the S-92 in its military or utility
guise. Three major international campaigns are under way-in Portugal,
the Nordic competition, and in Ireland-and Borgman is hoping for
the new helicopter to bring home its first victory. A decision in
one could help influence the others, and this becomes even more
important as Canada prepares to launch its competition.
"We are in touch with all of them daily," Borgman says.
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, Pennsylvania. "The Czech
contract is working very well. We are very pleased with it,"
says Borgman.
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," says 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 says.
By John Morris
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