Announces Higher Production For Second Time In 45 Days
-- Requiring Increased Staffing
We're SO ready for some good
news... and Cirrus seems intent on providing it. As we write this,
Cirrus Aircraft is notifying employees of continued strong demand
for its entire product line and of the associated increase in its
new aircraft production rate to eight (8) aircraft per week.
Increased staffing requirements are precipitating upcoming
callbacks of some previously furloughed employees at both its
Duluth, MN and Grand Forks, ND production facilities.
This announcement follows a similar communication of late April
'09 when new aircraft production was increased to six (6) aircraft
per week, yet staffing increases were not required at that
time.
Several indicators support the company's positive outlook. In
contrast to other reported general aviation industry trends, Cirrus
Aircraft has seen consistent growth in new aircraft orders over the
past 120 days, with stronger order rates consistently outpacing
production output over that timeframe. Equally notable are the
sources of the new orders. Domestic and international retail
demand, as well as both U.S. and global institutional demand, are
each playing a contributory role. Cirrus Certified, its pre-owned
aircraft sales division, is seeing similar increased sales activity
with used aircraft inventory levels showing increasing signs of
stabilization.
Pat Waddick, Executive Vice President of Operations,
communicated the news to all Cirrus employees. "We are extremely
pleased with continuing stronger sales trends that began in the
first quarter. Unlike the recent change to six (6) aircraft per
week, today's change to eight (8) per week will take somewhat
longer to implement due to required staffing increases and the
commensurate impact on vendor lead times. We recognize the good
news this represents to many furloughed members of the Cirrus
family and we are moving as quickly as possible to determine the
needed skill sets and to call those folks back to
work."
Brent Wouters, President and CEO, noted the company's progress
while maintaining a very disciplined and focused approach. "All
Cirrus Aircraft partners - our customers, our employees, our
vendors, and our ownership team - can take a measure of pride in
these early results of our diligence and cooperation. The
marketplace is responding to and validating the strength of our
product line and the high quality and value inherent in our latest
models. The recently announced 'Flight Into Known Icing'
certification for SR22 and TURBO models and Cirrus Perspective by
Garmin integrated avionics suites across the product lineup are
just two of the newer features that are catalyzing
demand."
Wouters continued, "At the same time, much hard work remains
through this year and into next as we continue to navigate through
a very challenging period. While today's news is certainly reason
for optimism and clearly another step in the right direction, we
will maintain our determined approach and continue to make any
adjustments necessary as quickly and efficiently as
possible."
Cirrus Aircraft expects that the new production rate will
positively affect in excess of fifty (50) furloughed employees
across all facilities in coming weeks.