Supply chain boosted as Airbus announces plans for 3,000 jobs to support demand
AIRCRAFT manufacturer Airbus has said it is to create 3,000 new jobs during 2013 to support the development of its products.
The jobs will be across the board at the Anglo-French operation but around 300 are expected at its wing design and manufacture operations in the UK. The firm currently employs more than 10,000 people in the UK.
The main operations are a wing design office in Filton, near Bristol, and wing assembly factory in Broughton, North Wales. Airbus recruited almost 600 people in the UK in 2012, many in high value engineering roles.
It recruited around 5,000 new employees last year, bringing global headcount to 59,000.
Airbus said the new jobs were needed to support growth; a message that will be welcomed by the scores of firms in the West Midlands component sector which supply into the manufacturer.
During 2012, Airbus delivered a company record of 588 aircraft to 89 customers (17 new) and exceeded its order target of 650 by winning 914 gross orders. These orders include 305 CEO, 478 NEO, 82 A330/A340s, 40 A350 XWB and nine A380s. Airbus’ backlog sets a new industry-wide record of 4,682 aircraft valued at over $638bn (£402bn).
Deliveries were 10% higher than the 2011 record (534) and 2012 was the 11th year in a row of increased production. In single aisles, Airbus set a new record of 455 deliveries (2011: 421). Widebody deliveries reached a record 103 aircraft (2011: 87), underlining the success of the A330 Family which is being produced at a monthly rate of 9.5 in 2012 – the highest figure in the firm’s history. The plan is to increase this to 10 by this spring.
The A380 delivery target of 30 aircraft was achieved setting a new company record for the type (2011: 26).
Airbus’ share of total aircraft sales by value (above 100 seats) in 2012, is 41% gross (41.5% net). Net orders reached 833 aircraft worth $96bn (£60.5bn). These include 739 A320 Family aircraft taking Airbus past the 9,000th single aisle order. Of these, 478 are NEO, confirming its over 62% market dominance since launch.
In the widebody market, 58 A330s and 27 A350 XWB were ordered. The A350-1000 won major endorsements from leading airlines through significant upsizing orders. In the very large aircraft segment, Airbus won nine out of 10 orders demonstrating the market’s preference for the A380.
In 2012, the A350 XWB progressed well. The final assembly line became fully operational, the structural assembly of the first A350 XWB that will fly was completed and “electrical power on” of the aircraft was accomplished.
Airbus Military had a successful year delivering 29 aircraft (20 light and medium military transport, four P-3 conversions, and five A330 MRTTs). The order target was exceeded despite difficult global conditions, reaching 32 (28 C295 and four CN235). Additionally, the A330 MRTT was selected as the preferred bidder by the Indian Government.
The A400M progressed well with the completion of 300 hours of Function and Reliability testing leading towards civil and military certification in Q1 2013 and first delivery in Q2 2013, with a total of four deliveries by the end of the year. Currently four A400Ms are in final assembly with a further 13 in production. The military backlog stands at 220 aircraft (174 A400M, 17 MRTT, five CN235, and 20 C295 and four P-3).
Fabrice Bregier, Airbus President and CEO, said the plan now was to recruit 3,000 people in 2013 to support all programme developments.
“Looking back over 2012, we can proudly say it was a fantastic year,” he said. “We delivered a record number of aircraft which highlights our increasing efficiency, and the market again demonstrated its confidence in all our products.
“We are keeping our production rates at a manageable pace, which is good for our supply chain, and bodes well for our long term profitability and bright future.”
