Company Honored For Bringing Worldwide Attention To Wichita

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) was awarded the International Business Excellence Award in the large company category by the World Trade Council of Wichita, Inc. at the World Trade banquet on May 17, 2007. The awards are presented annually to a small and large company, whose global successes have positively impacted the greater Wichita, KS area, and have increased international business in the area.

“This award acknowledges the strong focus Hawker Beechcraft Corporation has placed on growing our international sales,” said Ted Farid, vice president, New Business Development. “Our growth internationally is reflected in our accomplishments during the last couple of years with our international sales expanding from 16 percent of total sales in 2004 to 35 percent of total sales in 2006. This year, HBC has placed a renewed emphasis on growing its international business by placing a new Vice President of International Sales in Europe and developing sales and customer support strategies to grow international sales and market share.”

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation regularly brings customers from all over the world to Wichita to visit the company’s facilities as well as train for the aircraft they have purchased. Because of the long distances and time these trips entail, customers often spend much time in the community experiencing its hospitality and contributing to the local economy.

“A major priority for the business, over 30 percent of our deliveries and 40 percent of our bookings in 2006 went to international customers,” Farid said. “The company’s goal is to increase international sales to more 50 percent of its total sales in the next two to three years. HBC is accomplishing this increase by pursuing more international aircraft certifications and has placed dedicated demonstrator aircraft in key locations around the world to support customer demonstration requirements. A strong international market allows the company to be less dependent on one area of the world allowing us to anticipate changes in the market that will lessen the severity of the cyclical nature of the business.”

The World Trade Council of Wichita (WTC) originated in 1974 as the International Relations Committee of the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce. It was instrumental in making Wichita a US Customs Port-of-Entry and attracting the Wichita office of the US Department of Commerce initially housed in the Wichita State University School of Business. Today, WTC is affiliated with Wichita State University Barton School’s Center for International Business Advancement (CIBA) and the Wichita Metro Chamber.

FMI: www.hawkerbeechcraft.com, http://wtc.wichita.edu