2009 - Jaarverslag

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD > Advanced Textiles & Composites(JLTV). In the US, a large vehicle order was placed with OshkoshDefense, which was unexpected in that market. A large part of therelated order for armour, which was expected in 2009, has still notbeen finally placed.building rates, accompanied by a reduction in inventories across theentire value chain. In previous years, TenCate has invested substantialsums in order to meet the expected growth. Where possible, costreductions were achieved in 2009, whilst retaining growth potential.At the end of June, TenCate Advanced Armour received a contract fromthe Dutch Ministry of Defence to supply TenCate Ceratego compositearmour panels for the Dutch Patria XA-188 vehicles being used inAfghanistan. TenCate Ceratego is a lightweight composite vehiclearmour which minimises the weight added to the vehicle. Delivery wascompleted in October 2009.The project-oriented character is an important aspect of TenCate’soperational management, which means that companies must have aflexible cost structure. The worldwide market presence, the breadth ofthe product portfolio and the conceptual approach are importantstrengths in the organisation. These are increasingly used both withinthe group and with other TenCate market groups. This represents afurther implementation of the system approach and enables marketsynergy to be achieved. For example, increasing numbers of jointpresentations are being given at trade fairs and joint marketing isbeing conducted which strengthens the TenCate proposition for thedefence market. This involves general protection of personnel andmateriel based on fabrics (including TenCate Defender M) and armourcomposites. A conceptual approach to theme of protection is moreeffective than a more product-oriented individual approach.PERFORMANCE OF TENCATE SPACE & AEROSPACE COMPOSITESThe expected growth in Aerospace composites in 2009 failed tomaterialise, due to delays in the production of the Airbus A380 and theBoeing 787 as a result of technical problems in the development ofthese aircraft types. There was also a downward adjustment in theDuring the reporting year, TenCate Cetex ® composites were included inboth the new Boeing 747-8 and the Airbus A350-XWB. Good growthwas achieved in the United States with composites for the militaryaviation industry and communication and navigation satellites.In the longer term, the market trend for lightweight compositesremains positive, having regard to the superior characteristics.This reflects the development co-operation announced in the secondquarter of 2009 between the Dutch aviation cluster and both Airbus(TAPAS consortium) and Boeing (TPRC). These co-operativerelationships underline the importance of joint efforts to achievestrong growth in the use of composites in aviation. In addition,TAPAS received a subsidy from the Ministry of Economic Affairsamounting to € 6.6 million. This covers half of the total researchbudget (€ 13.2 million).TenCate was granted qualification in a number of interesting areasfor the use of composites, such as the aircraft industry, satellitesconstruction and the energy sector. TenCate has been selected as asupplier of composites in the United States by Alliant Techsystems inMinneapolis (Minnesota, US) for the production of composites rotortubes for the American Centrifuge Plant, the ultracentrifuge plantof USEC Inc. in Piketon (Ohio, US). If USEC receives the requestedgovernment guarantees for the financing of the project, sales can begenerated to finance the project on the basis of this supply agreementfrom 2010. In the Netherlands, TenCate has a strategic co-operationwith Airborne Composite Tubulars for oil and gas extraction.Annual Report 2009 39