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Heli-Expo 2005 Special Edition
Turbomeca executives provided a candid assessment of current programs and announced new initiatives at Heli Expo this past February. Herewith, a news summary.
SALES SUCCESS AND SERVICE CHALLENGES
NEW RENTAL POLICY, TBO EXTENSION
NEW LOGISTICS HUBS IN DEVELOPMENT
ARRIEL/ARRIUS AMERICANIZATION PROGRAM UNDERWAY
NEW SBH CONTRACT® CONTRACTS ANNOUNCED - MTBUR INCREASING - ZERO IN-FLIGHT SHUTDOWNS
SALES SUCCESS AND SERVICE CHALLENGES
At a breakfast for operators, Turbomeca president Emeric d’Arcimoles described the circumstances that have strained the company’s supply chain. These include a boost in demand for new engines and capacity limitations at vendors. D’Arcimoles said he ordered a detailed review of operations and realigned management to better focus on reducing production bottlenecks. "With better data, we have adjusted production targets to the rightlevels, and we are building buffer stocks in order to achieve a minimum three months supply of parts," he told the audience. To increase production and spares capacity, d’Arcimoles announced new efforts to expand engine assembly and parts production globally".
NEW RENTAL POLICY, TBO EXTENSION
At Turbomeca’s breakfast, Didier Desnoyer, operator support corporate senior VP, said parts shortages were easing as a result of such steps as activating a second source for Arriel 2 HP blades. Of 30 parts originally on a critical review list, only two now remained. To address lengthened rental times, he announced a new policy for Arriel 2 operators: waiving daily fees after 60 days and hourly fees after 90 days, making rental beyond that point free of charge. Desnoyer announced an extension, beginning mid 2005, of the Arriel 2 TBO from 3,000 to 3,500 hours—the same as for the Arrius 2. He also unveiled a new program called SBH® Mission, offering more options for controlling maintenance costs.
NEW LOGISTICS HUBS IN DEVELOPMENT
Turbomeca USA received North American Free Trade Zone certification on the last day of 2004, clearing the way for development of a new regional parts distribution center, similar to one established last year in Paris. A regional distribution center is planned for Asia in 2006.
ARRIEL/ARRIUS AMERICANIZATION PROGRAM UNDERWAY
Turbomeca projects that 350 to 400 engines will be built in the U.S. by 2006, with components increasingly provided by North American vendors. Manufacturing space will be expanded by 70,000 square feet with construction beginning this year. To help guide this effort, Larry Alexandre joins as vice president and chief operating officer of Turbomeca USA.
NEW SBH CONTRACT® CONTRACTS ANNOUNCED
Two companies, CHC of Canada and Air Kauai of Hawaii signed new SBH® contracts. CHC operates 140 Turbomeca engines approximately 90,000 hours a year. Air Kauai is the first U.S. tour operator to sign an SBH® contract. The company flies two Arriel 1 equipped A-Star helicopters.
MTBUR INCREASING - ZERO IN-FLIGHT SHUTDOWNS
The rate for mean time between unscheduled removals (MTBUR) for the Arriel 2S1 has improved 75 percent over the last three years, significantly reducing unscheduled maintenance on this engine.
For the sixth straight year, in 2005, no in-flight shutdowns were reported for single-engine helicopters powered by Arriel 2 engines. Turbomeca has produced more than 1,300 Arriel 2 turboshaft engines to date, logging 1.3 million flight hours.
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