On the Record with
SIEGFRIED SOBOTTA, CO-CHAIRMAN,
EADS EUROCOPTER

No.1 Eurocopter Will Improve Support

NH90, flying here at ILA, will be a major program for Eurocopter for many years.

ILA 2000: Eurocopter is flying high: last year it became the world's leading manufacturer of helicopters, launched production of the Tiger attack helicopter with an order for 160 for Germany and France, and at ILA will celebrate the $4.2 billion go-ahead of production of the first 196 of the utility, 20-passenger NH90 in Europe's biggest rotorcraft program ever.

Eurocopter's commercial product line is new, with all models replaced or renewed over the last few years, and sales are doing well. Last year Eurocopter accounted for 49% of all new civil and parapublic helicopters with deliveries of 241 new aircraft, and captured 40% of all new orders in the world for military helicopters.

So what's left?

"We have introduced measures to ensure Eurocopter also becomes the No. 1 company in product support," co-chairman Dr. Siegfried Sobotta told Show News. He will be joined as co-chairman at Eurocopter by Jean-Francois Bigay, who is returning to his earlier position at the helicopter company after a spell at Aerospatiale Matra.

The customer support measures will entail significant utilization of e-business as Eurocopter strives to become more efficient in looking after its customers, Sobotta said.

As Sobotta consolidates Eurocopter's marketing position, the company is also looking ahead to the future. Top of the list is securing the first export orders for the Tiger and NH90.

There is also a tiltrotor in Eurocopter's future plans-it is working with rivals Agusta and GKN Westland on a joint program dubbed "Eurotilt."

"This should enable the industry to continue to acquire the necessary technologies for a European Tilt Rotor," Sobotta said. The group has asked the EU to fund half the $96 million initial four-year program.

©Show News 2000