Magazin "take off" - Issue 4 - FACC

F A C C C U S T O M E R M A G A Z I N E
Building
the future
In the last issue of take off I presented
our view on the development of the
aviation industry in the next few years.
The article also featured the ways and
means we will have to resort to if we
are to master stormy weather together
with our customers, suppliers and
employees while maintaining continuous
growth. Barely half a year has passed
since then and we are already in the
middle of actively implementing these
ways and means: Every day we inch
forward towards making the long-term
planning become reality, every day we
fine-tune the concept to fit everyday
requirements, and all this without
losing sight of the overall strategic goal.
Milestones of the last few
months:
● Two years of intensive product
development to the tune of an investment
volume of US$ 8 mil was concluded
in November to everyone’s satisfaction
– the first complete passenger cabin
developed by FACC was installed
successfully into a B717. Thanks to our
know-how and a number of innovative
ideas we have succeeded in achieving
a significant reduction not only in
weight, but also in installation time.
Major competitive advantages of the
B717 such as low operating costs, low
fuel consumption and high passenger
comfort in the 100-seater market are
profound reasons to expect high
production rates. By re-structuring its
program management – the changes
will be implemented within the first
quarter 1999 – FACC will have the
adequate tools to cope with the
comprehensive challenges in the field
of logistics and of catering to the
configuration needs of the individual
airlines. Small efficient offices right at
the Boeing homebase, a repair station
in Long Beach as well as the permanent
presence of FACC representatives at the
most important sub-suppliers for the
interior will guarantee the excellent
quality and delivery performance we
are noted for.
● Two important contracts for
developing and supplying components
for the new generation of the A340
aircraft, the A340-500 and –600 have
been signed with DaimlerChrysler
Aerospace Airbus and Hispano Suiza
Aerostructures. For these long-term
development projects, FACC will be
responsible for the component
definition and development of the
blocker doors and of spoilers 2 and 6.
This will require intensive cooperation
with our clients and a permanent and
rapid exchange of data and information
if we are to achieve time-saving
procedures and swift progress in the
project work. Once again FACC will
bank on proximity to our customers.
Our engineers are working on concurrent
engineering teams in Le Havre and
Bremen. Apart from our profound
technological background, these
integrative engineering concepts and
our approach to team-oriented
engineering in close cooperation with
the customer are the elements that
have paved the way for FACC to move
up into the ranks of a systems supplier
also in the field of structural elements.
New orders and a higher turnover
require capacity adjustments:
Only recently we have completed the
final stages of our office complex
creating workspace for the engineering,
sales and shipping departments. The
growing number of employees requires
a structural adaptation to ensure our
efficiency and customer orientation.
This is why we have created separate
positions for the product management
of cabin interior and structural components.
On a medium-term range we
are also planning a separation of the
areas of the production facilities.
In order to achieve our set goal
of a turnover of ATS 1.2 billion
(EURO 87 mil/US$ 102 mil) these
are small steps. Our future editions
of take off will keep you posted
on the strategic measures that
lie ahead.
Walter A. Stephan
Chief Executive Officer
3 takeoff