Flying high FACC

FLYING HIGH

FACC, a worldwide leading aerospace company in the design, development and production of innovative components and systems for aircraft interiors, is on course for growth, benefitting from the favourable aerospace market environment and full support from its supplier chain. Romana Moares reports.

Being the technology partner of all major manufacturers, FACC works together with its customers on developing solutions for the mobility of the future. Every second, there is an aircraft taking off with FACC technology on board. FACC technologies are also environmental winners. They help save weight and therefore fuel while optimizing flight characteristics, thus expanding the total range of aircraft.

FACC employs 3,500 people from 38 nations working in 13 countries worldwide. With a customer base that includes all major manufacturers and tier1 suppliers, the company is listed in the ATX of the Vienna Stock Exchange and part of the Fortune-500 Group AVIC, providing access to the largest growth markets within the industry.

Last year, the company was again able to benefit from positive market development and achieved record revenues of over €782 million. “On its 30th anniversary, our company successfully continued its evolution, achieving the highest turnover in its history,” confirmed Robert Machtlinger, FACC CEO. “The good business result

of the Group is based on our enormous innovative strength and the associated competitive advantage. Positive long-term market forecasts, growth through innovation and efficiency coupled with the high motivation of our employees ensure our success.”

Supplier Excellence Awards

FACC management makes it clear that the company’s supplier chain plays a paramount role in the positive business development. On May 9th 2019, FACC hosted its Supplier Conference at “Messezentrum Ried”. More than 190 key suppliers took part in the event and the FACC Supplier Excellence Awards were presented for exemplary performance to the Group’s strategic partners. To distinguish excellent supplier performance, the FACC Supplier Excellence Awards were presented in Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories along with the coveted “Special Performance Award”. Executive Vice President - Procurement, Rudolf Leitner highlighted the contribution of suppliers to the Group’s outstanding financial results. “It is always a pleasure for us to honour our suppliers for their excellent performances in the past year. Our suppliers’ continued commitment ensures that we can offer innovative solutions that meet the requirements of our customers.”

Recognised as the best supplier, Isovolta AG won the “Supplier Excellence Award” in gold. The Austrian enterprise is an internationally leading manufacturer of composites and has been reliably supplying FACC with pre-pregs, especially for the Cabin Interiors Division, for more than 20 years. The cooperative partnership is determined by material and technology know-how, as well as efficiency throughout the order management process.

The “Supplier Excellence Award” in silver was received by Germanyheadquartered FlammAerotec GmbH, the producer of sheet metal formed parts and machined parts of the highest precision according to premium standards, while the “Supplier Excellence Award“ in bronze was presented to the Upper Austrian enterprise Kellner & Kunz AG as a competent C-parts Management Partner. Kellner & Kunz AG is a leading commercial enterprise and service provider in the field of tools, chemicaltechnical products, as well as fastening technology and work safety.

Finally, the FACC “Special Performance Award” was bestowed to Scholz Maschinenbau GmbH & Co.KG who manufactured and installed two autoclaves - one of them featuring a length of 19.9 meters and a diameter of 6.1 meters, making it the biggest ever applied by FACC.

Together we stand

During the FACC Supplier Conference, Mr Machtlinger presented the business strategy of the company and emphasised the importance of quality, operative excellence, social responsibility, as well

as positive partnership in Supplier Management. He reiterated: “The conference was an excellent forum to strengthen our supplier relationships and to communicate the most important strategic priorities ensuring a powerful partnership. A strong supply chain is key to our business activities as a recognised technology partner for the global aerospace industry. Together we can shape the mobility of the future together.”

With its balanced and comprehensive customer and product portfolio, FACC is set to continue on its growth course in the 2019/20 financial year and, based on its current market assessment, expects sales growth to be in line with market growth. Changes in the product mix, in particular the discontinuation of the A380 aircraft program, will be compensated by new orders acquired in the last two financial years.

“We are doing everything in our power to achieve fixed cost degression through targeted operational measures and to further increase profitability - with the aim of compensating for natural cost increases,” said Mr Machtlinger. “Over the past 30 years, we have consistently worked on the technological development of the company and have risen from a start-up to a world-class group. We are proud of the past 30 years, but we will not pause for a moment. On the contrary, we are going into the next 30 years with full vigour”. n

Visit: www.facc.com