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Airbus, owned by European aerospace company EADS, has so far received about 254 orders and commitments for the aircraft. The first deliveries of the A350 are expected in 2013. Honeywell’s $16 billion revenue forecast includes both components for new planes and maintenance revenues. Rob Gillette, president of Honeywell Aerospace, said the order marked a change for Honeywell since it would be producing entire systems for the aircraft, not just individual components.
“We’re providing a solution, as opposed to Airbus having to manage it across a much broader supply base,” Gillette said on a conference call with journalists. Honeywell will produce components including an auxiliary power unit and heating, cooling and pressurization systems for the aircraft. “With the A350, we are initiating a different type of relationship with the (supplier) community,” said Tom Williams, executive vice president of programs and procurement at Airbus, in a statement. “We attribute larger, complete work packages to a smaller number of major suppliers.” Analysts, on average, expect Honeywell to generate $33.97 billion in revenue this year, according to Reuters Estimates.
The order comes at a time when Honeywell has run into difficulties on another big order with Airbus’s main rival, Boeing. The first test flight of Boeing’s upcoming 787 Dreamliner has been pushed back by about three months due to delays in programming the flight control software, which Honeywell is providing, as well as a shortage of bolts, made by Alcoa.
Both suppliers have said they are working with Boeing to address the issue. Honeywell shares rose 1.6 percent, or 91 cents, to $58.19 on the New York Stock Exchange. So far this year, they have gained about 29 percent, almost triple the 11 percent rise of the Dow Jones industrial average, of which Honeywell is a component. This is the largest systems and equipment package Airbus has awarded to date on this program. Honeywell’s mechanical systems will be integrated throughout the aircraft.
“We revitalized our customer focus in early 2005, and I believe those efforts, coupled with Honeywell’s unparalleled technologies and experience with integrated systems, made us uniquely able to meet the Airbus requirements for this all-new aircraft,” said Robert Gillette, President and Chief Executive Officer, Honeywell Aerospace. “Honeywell’s advanced Air Management Systems and auxiliary power unit technologies will deliver the system performance and dependability Airbus and its operators expect in today’s global market.”
As part of the agreement, Honeywell will design and build an all-new auxiliary power unit (APU) and provide the APU Installation Kit and APU Starter-Generator. These integrated systems supply pneumatic and electric power for the aircraft while on the ground or in flight. The new HGT1700 APU will incorporate proven technologies from Honeywell’s fleet of Airbus APUs, optimally combined with industry-leading technological advancements to reduce weight, maximize performance and reduce direct maintenance to provide safe, efficient, low-cost operations.
The company will also provide the Air Management System, newly designed for Airbus A350, which builds on more than 50 years of providing integrated aircraft systems. These integrated systems will manage all the air used on the aircraft for environmental control, including cabin heating and cooling, and cabin pressurization for increased passenger comfort and safety. Honeywell is the leading supplier of environmental and cabin pressure control systems – proven in millions of flight hours of commercial service.
“This first contract signed with a major equipment supplier for the A350 is the first concrete example of our new way of working with our suppliers who are now becoming real partners,” said Airbus Executive Vice President Programmes and Procurement, Tom Williams. “With the A350 we are initiating a different type of relationship with this community. We attribute larger, complete work packages to a smaller number of major suppliers who are now becoming real systems integrators, which should allow them to define a globally much more efficient system. They are fully responsible for the total process from the initial research and development up to manufacturing/production and integration of the complete element, which they deliver, once fully checked and tested to maturity, to the Airbus production line. We are convinced that, by starting the process very early and fully involving these suppliers as partners in the process, we shall be in a much better position to achieve an even higher maturity at entry into service.”
The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is Airbus’ response to widespread market demand for a series of highly efficient medium-capacity long-range wide-body aircraft. With a range of up to 8,300 nm / 15,400 km, it is available in three basic passenger versions: the A350-800 accommodating 270 passengers, the A350-900 seating 314, and the A350-1000 for 350 passengers. The twin engined A350 XWB is powered by new generation Rolls Royce Trent engines delivering up to 95,000 lbs of thrust. The A350 has the widest fuselage in its category, offering improved levels of comfort and lower operating costs for aircraft in this market segment. Each version of the A350 XWB Family is designed to confront the challenges of high fuel prices, rising passenger expectations, and environmental concerns. Total firm orders and commitments for the A350 XWB stand at 254 aircraft (154 firm orders and 100 commitments). For information about the A350, visit www.airbus.com.
Honeywell International is a $34 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. It is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. For additional information, please visit www.honeywell.com. Based in Phoenix, Honeywell’s aerospace business is a leading global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military, space and airport operations.
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