Annual Report 2002 [PDF/1.6MB]

Aerospace BusinessExtending Into The Field of AerospaceBest-Selling High-FlyerAs a step towards expanding into other areas ofbusiness, we became the exclusive agent forCessna Aircraft Company of the U.S. in 1952. Sincethen we have continued to strengthen our position inthe field of aerospace in Japan, and now hold a 50%share of the single-engine light aircraft market.Our extensive lineup of products includes the 172R(Sky Hawk), a best-seller worldwide, the Cessna206, an incredibly versatile six-seater, and theCaravan, a single-engine turbo-propeller modelcapable of carrying loads weighing up to 1.5 tons.We also deal with eight kinds of business jetsmanufactured by Cessna Aircraft Company, theworld's leading maker of small and medium sizejets. These range from the smallest, the CitationCJ1 and CJ2, to the Citation X (10), which has a topspeed of 0.92 Mach, making it the fastest businessjet in the world.Besides fixed wing aircraft, we also sell helicopterengines manufactured by Turbomeca of France andprovide after service. Since these engines are usedby Japanese, American, Italian and other helicoptermakers as well as by Eurocopter, this has enabledus to provide other companies' customers withservices, a fact that has further boosted our reputation.A Rich Lineup Of HelicoptersThe Citation X, the world's fastest business jetInside the cabin of the Citation XWe have sold many helicopters since we becamethe sales agent for Aerospatiale of France (nowEurocopter) in 1960. To further strengthen our salescapabilities and improve customer services, wejoined forces with another sales agent, Sony TradingInternational Corporation (a subsidiary company ofSony Corporation), and established EuroHeliCorporation in April 2001. The new company boastsover a 43% share of the domestic civil helicoptermarket, and focuses on boosting sales ofEurocopter helicopters to government and publicoffices (including local governments) for crisismanagement, fire fighting, disaster prevention andother applications. At the same time the company isconcentrating on securing a share of the up-andcomingmarket for helicopters for "doctor-heli" anddigital broadcast news gathering applications.Sky HawkCaravanCitation ExcelA sales agent for over 40 Europeanand American companiesWe have the agency rights to sell on-board devicesas well as aircraft and engines for over 40 of theworld's leading aircraft and aerospace companies.ARRIUS 2B helicopter engineEC15524