Focused on lightweight solutions Bucher Group

FOCUSED ON LIGHTWEIGHT SOLUTIONS

As global trends toward CO2 reduction and resource efficiency continue to drive the use of lightweight materials in aviation, there are opportunities for companies of all sizes to make their mark and compete alongside the bigger firms that dominate the market. Switzerland’s Bucher group has drawn on its 60 years’ experience in aluminium and composites, and its reputation as an innovator in lightweight aluminium structures, to become a key supplier to leading airlines and OEMs, including Airbus, Boeing and Airbus Helicopters.

Founded in 1953, Bucher Group today consists of three companies – Bucher Leichtbau, based in Faelladen, Switzerland; Bucher Interiors in Sinn, Germany, and Bucher Aerospace Corporation, based in Seattle. The Leichtbau division focuses primarily on its flagship aircraft galleys business and works closely with the German division, with the latter acting as an subsupplier for Leichtbau, while the US arm specialises in aircraft seating components.

Bucher’s galley range features hard anodised aluminium surfaces, precisionmachined doors, pressure or turn locks and other robust equipment components, as standard specifications. However, as dimensions and fittings are never standard, Bucher provides a very bespoke service, and takes pride in providing solutions for customer-specific requests and requirements. As an example of how flexible the Bucher products are, the company has developed a line of general-purpose storage systems - AL.CARTS - which offer avaitontype features for a wide range of uses outside the aerospace industry. In-cabin furnishings are also a key part of Bucher’s

The Vartan Aviation Group

The Vartan Aviation Group as a EN/ AS 9100 holder supports several cabin interior, aircraft system & composite aerostructure manufacturers at all Airbus and Boeing Final Assembly Lines in Germany, France, China and the United States. Besides technical and electrical rework and modifications, Vartan also represents the equipment suppliers in program review meetings with Airbus, Boeing and/or Airlines, attending incoming inspections, evaluating liabilities of non conformities and ordering replacement parts. Solutions are implemented in accordance with engineering documentation from either the Aircraft manufacturer or equipment supplier. Warehousing, tools and service transportation is also offered by VPS Group to suppliers.

With the EASA part 145 maintenance approval, the Vartan Aviation Group is additionally able to accomplish any cabin interior overhaul. The capability list covers the entire range of cabin furniture.

offering, and its range includes overhead lockers, seat components, seat furnishings, and front row storage solutions.

Opportunities in Air Rescue and Transportation

Bucher has also turned its expertise in lightweight materials to a very different field: Air Rescue and Medical Transportation. It now offers a wide range of special equipment that includes a 16g compatible stretcher and solutions for rescue helicopters and air ambulances as well as modules for medical first aid on scheduled flights. This know-how has also helped the company to develop tactical police equipment, including patient stretcher and loading systems; systems for the supply of air, oxygen, electricity etc, and Bucher now has a strong client list in this field, including ADAC, DRF, Airbus Helicopters, Pilatus. And the product range goes on, with a line of automotive solutions that includes folding tables and in-car storage systems.

Bucher sells its products worldwide and - according to CEO Beat Burlet - is among the leading suppliers in its sector. Although the smallest of those market leaders, in what Burlet admits is a highly competitive area, the company says it has a market share of between around five and 20 per cent, varying according to airplane type. With its own presence in Europe and the USA, Bucher has close proximity to the Airlines and the key OEMs like Airbus and Boeing. The third strategic market for the

• Quality • Performance • Flexibility

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DAUtec GmbH

Founded in 2003 by Dipl.-Ing. Hans-Jörg Dau, Hamburg-based DAUtec moved from its original hometown of Lübeck in 2006 to be closer to where a high number of customers were based, to make it easier to connect and work alongside them. In 2007, DAUtec became DIN EN 9100 certified, and since 2009 has been collaborating with Lufthansa Technik, and operating the Lufthansa laboratory for external customers on Lufthansa Technik base Hamburg.

DAUtec takes a company from the first stages of aerospace development, through production, up to authorization. Its services include involvement in compiling specifications; formulation of test plans; test procedures; supervision of tests in its laboratories in order to aid design engineers, including the execution of acceptance testing; creation of test reports and other documents up to DDP; and certification consulting (LBA/EASA) for civil and military aircraft systems and equipment. DAUtec can develop individual test plans or assist in coordinating entire test programs for any company or aircraft.

company is Asia, where it hopes to benefit from the continuing expansion of the airline industry. Although Bucher has no local physical presence, it has developed and maintains a network of representatives and distributors in the region. “We see particularly good potential for future growth in Asia,” commented Burlet.

With airlines increasingly demanding more lightweight products, Bucher is well placed to maintain its leading role in the interiors sector. Around 10 per cent of its engineering workforce is employed in R&D, and while Bucher traditionally works primarily with aluminium – which gives good results in terms of weight -it is also aware of the competition from companies developing very light-weight composites, and is itself working on composites solutions. “One of the reasons we acquired our company in Germany was to get that composites expertise,” said Beat Burlet.

Bucher employs 360 staff, and has seen steady growth of on average ten per cent over the past 10 years. There are no immediate plans for any significant expansion through further acquisitions or new facilities, but the company nevertheless expects growth to continue, and Beat Burlet points particularly to the Air Rescue market, where he sees increasing potential. “We think there’s a big opportunity in this area, particularly in Asia, where there hasn’t previously been the same focus on air resucue operations that we’ve seen in Europe and the USA. I also expect our galleys business to continue to grow. Airbus and Boeing have increased their plane production over the past couple of years, and with the introduction of larger planes, carrying more passengers, we expect demand for our products to rise.”

Indeed, with increasing air traffic, and the growing use of advanced lightweight materials (aimed at both cutting costs and supporting the industry’s commitment to carbon neutral growth) Bucher can expect to maintain or increase its market share over the next few years. And the group is staying ahead of demand by continuing to develop new products, with new emergency medical equipment for Airbus’ EC145-T2 helicopters due to be launched later this year, and a new galley system for Boeing’s 777 scheduled for 2015. n

High Quality and Safety is the focal point of BUCHER’s development. Photo shows a Qualification-Endurance-Test of a Galley door with its components, performed by the independent Qualification-Company DAUtec GmbH.