Aviation Week Heli-Expo Show News Briefing - February 24-26, 2008 - (Page 30) Bell Streamlines Its Strategy for Mainline Markets Here’s how it views the three of intent. “This does not mean we are The decision by Bell Helicopter • 412: About 900 of these to cut its product line to just going to serve them all, but pri- product lines: • 407: It does very well in the utility helicopters are in service, three models—the light single marily our products are going to 407, the light twin 429 and be designed and developed to offshore and law enforcement and the backlog stretches out medium utility twin engined meet those unique requirements areas, some limited EMS, and it into 2009. “We said, ‘OK, those are the 412—will allow it to focus on its around those primary market would meet those future market needs. About 800 are in service, aircraft we can grow on, and then best-selling and most profitable segments.” Fitzpatrick said offshore opera- and the order backlog today streamline the business around aircraft, says Bell’s sales and marthose three core products,’” keting svp Bob Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick noted. Fitzpatrick, who was He declined to typify largely responsible for the the canceled 417 and 427 strategy that culled the venerhelicopter programs as ‘misable JetRanger after a 40-year steps,’ but rather as ‘cycles of production run, the 212 learning’ that have helped utility twin and the neverBell focus on the right prodwell-selling 430, said the ucts for the right markets decision mirrored customer and get back in touch with demand. the customers it served so Now the company plans to well in the past. develop derivatives of the The large order backlogs three surviving models tarwill lead to a ramping up of geted to the four primary production of commercial markets where it believes helicopters. After lolling most of its customers operate: offshore oil and gas, EMS, The Bell 429 light twin will be the basis for derivative models for different markets. along at about 80 helicopters law enforcement and the interna- tors typically fly 1,200 hours per stands at over 260 “telling us that in each of 2000 and 2001, Bell tional military market. Those year, EMS 600 hours, and law the product is definitely fulfilling produced 181 last year and aims for 300-400 a year in the late future needs,” says Fitzpatrick. markets, Fitzpatrick said, are typi- enforcement 300 to 600 hours. • 429: Designed specifically for 2009-2010 timeframe. Bell believes these three fied by extensive customization “We intend to come back and and heavy use of spare parts— models, and their derivatives the EMS market with an ultraboth profitable segments for Bell. aimed at niches within the pri- large cabin, it is also gaining regain our role as the world’s “We identified the secondary mary markets, will best suit both popularity, in offshore, corporate Number One provider of vertical markets as corporate and utility,” the customers’ and the company’s and electronic news gathering. lift aircraft,” Fitzpatrick said. The light twin now has 250 letters needs over the next 20 years. he noted. —John Morris Sikorsky Reshapes, Rebrands Its Support Business A restructuring of Sikorsky’s loose-knit but fast-growing customer support services will be announced here today. The new Sikorsky Aerospace Services will replace Sikorsky’s previous Worldwide Customer Service, bringing all its aftermarket companies under one umbrella. The new structure will offer customers the strength of a major manufacturer with the flexibility and personal attention of a small company. A multi billion-dollar supply chain is the foundational support for the consolidated effort, which will provide an array of customer support including: training, overhaul and repair, spares to aircraft delivery, field services, inventory management, and fleet management solutions. “Sikorsky Aerospace Services will offer customer solutions that are tailored to fit each customer’s requirements,” said David Adler, svp for Sikorsky Aerospace Services. “It’s ‘one-stop shopping’ designed with an eye toward customer responsiveness and satisfaction.” Sikorsky’s customer support services include Helicopter Support Inc., Sikorsky Support Services, Inc., and Derco Aerospace, and CTI Blade Repair. “You will see some consolidation in the way we present ourselves to the market so we can get some synergies from support solutions as opposed to going in for independent order taking,” said Steve Estill, vp and world marketing chief. —JM 30 www.aviationweek.com/shownews February 24, 2008 http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews
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