HANGAR TALK


Eurocopter Reinforces its Capabilities in the U.S. with theInstallation of an AS350 Assembly Line


Beginning in 2014, Eurocopter will


install the necessary industrial capabili­ ties to upgrade the American Eurocopter plant in Columbus, Mississippi, to a final assembly and test site for Eurocopter AS350 helicopters, the top­selling civil helicopter in the U.S. market. The plan was developed with two


main objectives in mind: first, as a way to offset the impact of the reduction in local production of UH­72A Lakota heli­ copters and second, to help provide a boost to sales in the U.S. market, espe­ cially with government and law enforcement agencies. “North America is the largest light


helicopter market in the world for Eurocopter, and this new assembly line supports our industrial strategy by manufacturing the preferred AS350 ‘Made in the USA’ in close proximity to our customers,” said Joseph Saporito, Executive Vice President of the Global Supply Chain for Eurocopter. “This deci­ sion further supports our investments that have developed reliable and effi­ cient local industrial capabilities in a market with strong expected growth.” The plan calls for the Columbus plant


to become a final AS350 assembly and test site using parts produced by Eurocopter and its suppliers, in addition to the continued production and retro­ fit of UH­72A Lakotas for the U.S. Army, other federal agencies and foreign mili­ tary customers. “I am extremely happy to be able to


announce we will be able to maintain and expand the Columbus plant’s oper­ ations and retain our skilled and dedi­ cated workers,” said American Eurocopter President and CEO Marc Paganini. “Our teams in Mississippi have done a superb job of producing the Lakota for the Army and we want to put


14 October 2013


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