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Airbus Helicopters to make a Romanian center of excellence for production of H215 aircraft
Airbus Helicopters, which inaugurated last year the new helicopter plant from Ghimbav, Brasov, for an EUR 52 million investment will make Romania a center of excellence for the production of H215 aircraft, said Olivier Michalon, senior vice president for Europe region at Airbus Helicopters on Tuesday to the Romanian PM Sorin Grindeanu during a meeting at the Government in Bucharest, business-review.eu informs .
Airbus Helicopters official emphasized the 40 years of historical relations between the group and Romania, adding that the new factory in Ghimbav brings a new opportunity, of starting a true industrial cycle with the production of the H215 helicopter, both in civil and military versions.
The company believes that it will make the H215 case stronger if Romania is the launching customer.
“It is very important that Romania leads by example, because when you want to export, the helicopter is not an usual product, the first reaction of the buyer is: does the country which produces it buy the helicopter too?” said Michalon.
Romania has been for a long time a reliable partner for Airbus Helicopters, the company representatives argue. Since the establishment of the company in 2002, Airbus Helicopters, a joint venture between Airbus and the state owned company IAR, had a total turnover of RON 1250 million and a a net profit of RON 72 million. Also, since 2002, the total turnover of local procurement is RON 183 million. Out of this amount, RON 83 million went to IAR as one of the main local suppliers.
Airbus Helicopters will directly contribute to the improvement of the Romanian commercial balance by adding an 80 percent expected volume of exports, according to the company.
The new factory in Brasov will host the production of the H215, a twin-engine, versatile, economic and robust helicopter with multi-mission capabilities.
The 10,000 sqm factory is now ready and the tools and equipment for the production and assembly of the new helicopter are being installed. The plant in Ghimbav will employ 350 people when it reaches full production capacity.
Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services.