PRESTWICK, Scotland, July 7 /CNW/ - Spirit Europe, the UK based European
Headquarters of Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. (NYSE: SPR) today announced it has
signed a contract with Airbus to design and produce a major wing structure for
the A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) programme. Spirit will design and assemble the
wing leading edge structure primarily at its European facility in Prestwick,
Scotland. The Composite Front Spar will be built at Spirit's recently
announced facility in Kinston, North Carolina, USA, with composite
sub-assemblies being manufactured at the Spirit Malaysia facility at Subang,
near Kuala Lumpur.
The structure, incorporating advanced technology, will be made of about
50 percent carbon fiber content and will measure 32 meters long.
"We already have a long history of producing major wing structures in the
UK for current Airbus models such as the A320 and A380," commented Neil
McManus, Vice President and Managing Director of Spirit Europe. "This contract
win means that we will be playing just as vital a role in their newest model,
the A350 XWB."
The contract further increases Spirit's involvement on the A350 XWB,
having recently announced that it will design and build the large composite
center fuselage section in a newly constructed facility in North Carolina.
"We were already excited to partner with Airbus on the A350 XWB Section
15 composite center fuselage frame section," said Jeff Turner, President and
CEO, Spirit AeroSystems. "To be involved in such a significant wing package as
well is a testament to the design and manufacturing capability that exists
within the entire Spirit enterprise."
In addition, Spirit has reached an agreement worth $1.7 billion with
Airbus to extend their existing contract to supply leading and trailing edges
and other wing structures on the Airbus A319, A320 and A321 range assembled in
the UK from 2011 until 2015.
"This contract extension is fantastic news for aerospace manufacturing in
the UK," added McManus. "We now have visibility on a product line that has
been a core part of our business for a number of years and is set to be an
integral part of our future."
About Spirit AeroSystems (Europe) Limited
Based in Prestwick, Scotland and Samlesbury, England, Spirit Europe is
the largest supplier of aerostructures to Airbus. It is the European division
of Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. the world's largest independent supplier of large
component parts and assemblies for commercial aircraft. In addition to its UK
sites, Spirit has operations in Wichita, Kansas, Tulsa and McAlester,
Oklahoma, and is developing new facilities in North Carolina and Malaysia.
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future
business opportunities. Actual results may vary materially from those
projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not
limited to future levels of business in the aerospace and commercial transport
industries or in the number of aircraft to be built; the success and timely
progression of our customers' new programs; challenges in the design,
development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other
risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed in Spirit
AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
On the web: http://www.spiritaero.com
