MANAGEMENT ON THE MOVE
LOCATIONS
LAND
07 Apr 09. GKN Aerospace commences work today on the creation of a new
state of the art manufacturing facility at Bristol in the UK. This facility will form a key part of GKN Aerospace-Filton as it becomes a global centre of excellence in composite aircraft wing structures. GKN Aerospace Chief Executive, Marcus Bryson comments: “Today we are beginning our work to fulfill the commitments we made to extend the capacity and the skills base of our Bristol operation. And I must acknowledge that our success in reaching this landmark day is in good measure due to the strong and consistent support of both BERR and SWERDA. So today, representatives of local and national government, and of our
customers, employees and suppliers are all able to witness the start of phase one of this major development programme – a programme that we believe will ensure the long term future of the Filton operation and workforce.” The new site, known as Filton-West, will be under the management of the recently acquired GKN Aerospace – Filton. ‘Filton-West’ will house a state-of-the-art automated composites manufacturing operation that will incorporate production techniques that represent the future of composites manufacture in aviation. Starting in January 2010 this new plant will manufacture wing spars and trailing edge assemblies for the Airbus A350 XWB aircraft.
Apr 09. To accommodate new business and to better manage facility resources in anticipation of future growth, Co-Operative Industries has added an additional 10,000 square feet of manufacturing space to its main facility. This will serve to increase capacity for wiring harness production as well as their FAA/EASA/CAAC certified repair station. As apart of the expansion efforts, buildings at a second location have been renovated and will house the flexible metal conduit arm of Co-Operative Industries. These new facilities will include a total of 10,400 square feet of conduit manufacturing and braiding capabilities. Relocating the conduit production has allowed for increased production of their flexible metal conduits while freeing up much needed manufacturing space at the main facility. This transition allows the company to fully dedicate the main facility’s 48,000 square feet to its aerospace, defense, and repair station business. (Source: ASD Network)
15 Apr 09. Today, EADS’s former military transport aircraft division, MTAD becomes fully integrated into Airbus. As a new Airbus business unit, “Airbus Military” will be accountable for all military activities within Airbus. The integration and “Day 1” of the new unit – celebrated in Seville/Spain today – follows an EADS Board decision of December 2008. Based in Spain Airbus Military is in charge of all EADS military transport aircraft, ranging from the small CN-235 and C-295 transport aircraft, to the world leading multi role tanker transport (MRTT) based on the Airbus A330, and the A400M. It also includes further military derivatives of Airbus civil aircraft. Airbus Military will continue to provide support and services to customers and operators. Airbus Military will become an Airbus business unit with profit and loss responsibility and accountability. The scope of its activities ranges from aircraft and specific military systems development and integration, to industrialisation, marketing and sales. The integration will allow the military programmes’ organisation and management to be more efficient. Clear and unified command lines will be implemented. The A400M programme now falls under the full and sole responsibility of Domingo Urena, the new Head of Airbus Military. A better allocation of industrial and engineering resources will be one of the crucial benefits of this integration. Operational synergies at development and industrial level for both civil and military transport aircraft will be fully explored, while at the same time safeguarding and leveraging Airbus Military’s specific