Despite output running 28% higher than last year and fresh
military contracts that have just been signed, Bell Helicopter is not looking
forward to 2005 showing a beneficial blip on the profits graph. According to
CEO Mike Redenbaugh, it will be merely the launchpad for far greater things.
"The bottom line is that 2005 is just the beginning of what's to come, and the
future of Bell Helicopter is very bright," he declared.
Redenbaugh is due to host an open forum at Bell's booth
(245) on the inaugural day of the NBAA Convention, listing this year's
achievements and outlining the way ahead. Recent items to be mentioned include
an authorization from the Department of Defense for full-rate production of the
Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor; the U.S. Army's $2.2 billion award for 368
Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters based on the Bell 407; FAA certification of
the Model 210 upgrade of venerable 205/UH-1 Huey; and flight-test successes of
the Bell/Agusta 609 civil tiltrotor.
Furthermore, in the civil and paramilitary field, Bell can
point to a 30% increase in sales to law-enforcement agencies and the widespread
employment of its helicopters in the relief operations after Hurricane Katrina.
This week, Redenbaugh will use the Convention to say
thank-you to the customers who have helped elevate Bell Helicopter to its
present position. "We owe much of our growth and success in 2005 to the loyalty
of our
customers, and at this NBAA show we are celebrating them—our
great customers," he told Show News.
"Our goal is to listen to customers and react accordingly,"
said Redenbaugh. Examples of this policy have included new technology, such as
the Models 429 and 609; glass cockpits in current aircraft; increased payloads;
delivery of more aircraft and spares to meet customer demand; and working to
grow the capacity of suppliers.
