Says Expansion Key To Continued Growth

At the 2007 Paris Air Show this week, officials with Sikorsky Aircraft provided a glimpse of a new strategic vision for the company... which focuses heavily on plans to incorporate European regions into its business approach.

"Sikorsky is a dynamic company that is transforming its business in a number of ways to adapt to an ever-changing, global business environment," said Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino. "As we move forward to expand our business globally, we are looking to the opportunity the European market affords Sikorsky to bring its proven products to new customers and regions."

As ANN reported, earlier this year Sikorsky finalized the acquisition of aircraft maker PZL Mielec in Poland, and relocated a Business Development Manager to Warsaw as it begins to deepen its efforts to develop relationships and opportunities throughout Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

Sikorsky says the Mielec acquisition will support production of the International Black Hawk helicopter, while continuing the current capability for aircraft design, manufacture, flight test and delivery. Modernization of the 1.2-million-square-foot facility began in April.

In addition, Sikorsky Aircraft is positioning the S-92 helicopter for Europe search and rescue missions, beginning with the recent entry into service of the first SAR-configured S-92, owned and operated by CHC, Inc., for service with MCA in the UK. The SAR S-92 will be expanded to meet additional requirements in the UK, Ireland, Norway and Iceland, said Bruce McKinney, Sikorsky Regional Sales Manager, Europe.

In addition, Sikorsky is working with French and German industry on the Heavy Transport Helicopter for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), using CH-53K technology to minimize costs and enable design, manufacture and life-cycle support in Europe.

"Now that Sikorsky has established an office in Warsaw, we have a European base of operation that is poised to embrace this market of great potential," McKinney said. "Sikorsky is in Europe to stay, and we look forward to the new opportunities to bring Sikorsky products to the global market as well as to strengthen our supplier base."

FMI: www.sikorsky.com