UPLIFTING PERFORMANCE

ASCO, a supplier of the design and manufacture of high-lift structures, complex mechanical assemblies and major functional components, is thriving as a member of Montana Aerospace, a world leader in the extrusion of high-strength aerospace alloys.

Belgium-headquartered ASCO was founded by Emile Boas Senior and operated as a family-owned business for decades, building worldwide recognition and know-how as an industry benchmark for the design, development, manufacture, treatment, and assembly of complex high-lift mechanisms and critical structural (sub-)assemblies, such as large and complex fuselage and wing and landing-gear components, made of lightweight materials.

Historically, ASCO has worked exclusively on commercial aircraft programmes, becoming the preferred partner for the design and manufacture of enhanced ‘Lift and Landing’ solutions for most of the world’s commercial aircraft fleets. More recently, ASCO has also become a primary supplier within several modern military aircraft programmes for primary critical structures.

ASCO has worked hard to diversify its customer base within the international aerospace industry, through its ability to offer engineering solutions in a competitive landscape. Today, its products are incorporated in most of the world’s aircraft, including commercial jets, regional and larger business aircraft, with the customer base including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, Cessna, Lockheed Martin and others.

The company makes it clear that the continuous development of innovative products and services has not only helped its cus- tomers meet their objectives but has the added benefit of helping ASCO produce a leaner organization and use more environmentally friendly manufacturing techniques whilst securing long-term financial strength to the benefit of all stakeholders.

Under new management

Last year, the company reached a significant milestone – in April 2022, ASCO announced that its acquisition by Switzerland-based Montana Aerospace, a manufacturer and supplier of structural parts and assemblies, had been completed.

As declared by Montana Aerospace, the combination of ASCO’s and Montana Aerospace’s competences will accelerate growth and reinforce the group’s standing as a strong industrial company wellequipped to meet the customer needs of tomorrow.

Under the new owner, ASCO is set to look for new opportunities to develop high technology solutions for new aircraft platforms, boosting its research programmes to include the development of new concepts using innovative materials and processes.

This focus will be fully supported by the company’ new Chief Executive Officer. Six months ago, the company’s former CEO and owner, Christian Boas, grandson of the company founder, stepped down from his role. His position was assumed by Olaf Lawrenz, an international manager with over 30 years of experience in the aerospace industry, working for Airbus & Premium AEROTEC, who is set to keep ASCO’s path to success on a steep upward trajectory.

Multi-year contract

Olaf Lawrenz stated that he will focus on a fast and smooth integration of ASCO into the Montana Aerospace Group and on preparing for the ramp-up within different programmes.

ASCO will also benefit from Montana Aerospace having achieved another successful year in 2022. Despite the challenges of rising costs and uncertainties in the supply chain, the group has managed to exceed its own expectations. Especially in the fourth quarter of 2022, net sales developed very positively compared to the previous quarters.

At the end of last year, Montana Aerospace scored a significant success by winning another new contract with Airbus for the production of extruded aluminium profiles. The multi-year contract with Europe’s largest aircraft manufacturer will start in 2023.

Montana Aerospace will supply Airbus with structural components for the fuselage and wings of the Airbus A320 to A350 with component lengths of up to 18 meters to be manufactured in the company’s large-format aluminium presses.

With this order from Airbus, Montana Aerospace’s third large-size, heavy press – built and commissioned in just 18 months and the first of its kind in Europe – will start series production in Romania. This new technology deployed in its Romanian plant will enable Montana Aerospace to support its European customers in their local4local procurement strategy.

Promising future

In addition to the expansion and development of the extrusion business in Europe, Montana Aerospace has also invested heavily in the development of its one-stop-shop strategy, expanding its service and product portfolio in the area of complex, critical components. The company is currently in the final stage of its extensive investment programme worth over 600 million Euros.

Kai Arndt, Co-CEO of Montana Aerospace AG , commented on the recent achievements: “Market share gains from the recent acquisitions of ASCO and São Marco, the second largest magneto-wire manufacturer in Brazil, completed in 2022, as well as the recovery and trend reversal in the industry, will continue to drive our growth.”

“Montana Aerospace has invested heavily in expanding competencies and capacities in recent years. With the new order from Airbus, we feel confirmed in our strategy of expanding the extrusion business in Europe, in order to serve our customers locally and to support them in the implementation of their ambitious increase in construction rates.”

“Looking to the future, we are confident that we can continue our dynamic growth strategy as we always focus on delivering the highest quality to our customers and reliably stepping in where other suppliers struggle, “ he concluded. n

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