Tier-1 aerospace supplier FACC

TIER-1 AEROSPACE SUPPLIER

A specialist in the development of composite components and systems for civil aircraft, Austria-based FACC maintains its position as a tier-1 supplier. In fact, no other organisation in this field of industry has lightweight composite components installed in so many different aircraft models.

Headquartered in Ried, Austria, FACC also has four other production plants in the immediate vicinity and locations in Europe, Asia and the Americas. It also has an independent design centre in Vienna and engineering offices in Bratislava and Shanghai. Furthermore, in September 2013 it officially opened a new Technology Centre at its St Martin location in Upper Austria. In future this will serve to house all the company’s global R&D activities.

FACC boasts an extensive product range. It offers everything from aircraft fairings to fuselages and wings, engine and engine nacelle components and complete aircraft cabins. The company covers the entire valueadded chain of modern supply production – from conception and design, to manufacturing and full serial production.

Following a 2009 takeover by the firm Osterreichische Salinen AG, FACC reorganised its business structure and divided its operations into its current three core business areas aerostructures, engines & nacelles and interiors.

Major clients

FACC’s customers include all leading manufacturers of aircraft and aircraft engines. For example, it recently handed over the 100th shipset of wing spoilers for the 787 Dreamliner to its customer Boeing Seattle. As a tier-1 supplier to Boeing, FACC is responsible for the manufacture of the 14 spoilers and two flaperon hinge panels of the 787 Dreamliner. Delivery of the 100th shipset of spoilers marks an important milestone in FACC’s participation in the 787 programme which – after several years of production ramp-up is now recording a steady increase in production rates.

This year (2013) FACC has also been cooperating with Bombardier Aerospace. The Canadian aircraft manufacturer has selected FACC as a supplier for its new aircraft, the Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft. It is responsible for the development and manufacture of the wing-to-body fairings for the two models, which are currently in the development phase.

FACC components from all three of its divisions were also onboard the Airbus A350 XWB when it completed its first flight in June 2013. FACC Engines & Nacelles supplied weight-optimised translating sleeves and engine components; FACC Interiors provided passenger door lining, smoke detection covers and overhead stowage compartments; and finally the spoilers and winglets were supplied by FACC Aerostructures.

Continued growth

In R&D especially, FACC has continued to develop its processes and capabilities. In 2013 it announced that it would be investing

up to €100 million in research and development of hi-tech components. The company’s aim, in terms of R&D, is focused on longterm development to improve its offering and keep costs favourable – with less weight and better performance. By working with partners in emerging countries, in Asia and elsewhere, costs can be kept down, and FACC is also working to develop new materials sources in those countries – avoiding the additional costs of importing materials from the West.

A company spokesperson underlines the importance of such collaborations to the company. “We strongly believe in partnerships – for instance in metal parts, where we have no competence, we have reduced our suppliers to a key few, with large volumes. They are participating in new contracts and take on engineering work for us. We have partnerships all over the world, but are still also looking at new markets.”

But above all, FACC’s aim is to further develop its position in the sector, to develop all its product lines and increase complexity and to offer more complete solutions. “Big companies will continue to present us with a challenge – Premium Aerotech, Alenia, GKN and others. We may be small, but we are still one of the top 20, and we will work to retain that position as a tier-1 supplier.” n