Amsterdam, 09
August
2007
EADS will evaluate the inclusion of its Augsburg plant into the sales process of Airbus aerostructures sites. A final decision is depending on the result of this analysis, and in case of a go-ahead decision, consultations with the European Works Councils at EADS and Airbus as well as with all further relevant statutory bodies would then take place. The Augsburg site is today part of the EADS Defence & Security Division, but roughly 70 percent of its revenues are attributed to Airbus. In fact, Augsburg is the single largest aerostructures supplier to Airbus.
The combination of the site in Augsburg with the Airbus sites at Nordenham and Varel under a new ownership structure could form a major risk-sharing partner for Airbus. Augsburg would contribute critical design, manufacturing and technological competences to such new entity. Against the backdrop of Airbus' new "make-or-buy" policy, which entails significant outsourcing of aerostructures, and with new owners, these plants could gain access to important work on the new A350XWB as well as future Airbus programmes.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of € 39.4 billion and employed a workforce of about 116,000. The Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and EADS Astrium, the European leader in space programmes from Ariane to Galileo. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, develops the A400M through its Military Transport Aircraft Division, and holds a stake in the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems.
