Switzerland’s RUAG, sometimes better recognized for its defense work, is becoming a major supplier to Airbus in a steady expansion of its significant commercial aerostructures activities. This month, at its Oberpfaffenhofen facility in Germany, RUAG established a new assembly line to produce A320 side panels. RUAG is now the sole supplier to Airbus of Section 15 panels for the A320 — a contract it won after a global tender. RUAG is also working on the A380 program, building wing and fuselage components at its Emmen headquarters. RUAG says its contracts with Airbus are worth over $244 million between now and 2010 and that it will safeguard production in a significant section of RUAG Aerospace’s operations over the coming years. — Robert Hewson
