FACC is successfully strengthening its position as a Tier 1 Supplier of Airbus: The Austrian aerospace supplier FACC Operations GmbH, a subsidiary of the public listed company FACC AG, and Airbus today announced the signing of a contract for an additional work package for the A320 aircraft family. The contract includes the production, as a second source, of Sharklet wing tip devices for the single-aisle aircraft from Airbus.

Only recently, FACC was taken under contract by Airbus for the redesign and manufacture of overhead stowage bins, ceiling panels and cove light panels as well as for the manufacture of the Aft Belly Fairings for the A320 family. The total order volume of the three work packages is approximately 450 million US$ according to the current state of the aircraft orders, and envisages deliveries over a period of at least 10 years. In the context of the Sharklet Retrofit project from Airbus, the first delivery of Sharklets is scheduled mid-2015 and FACC will produce the components in its Aerostructures facility in Ort im Innkreis/Austria.

"The A320 Family is the world's best-selling aircraft family, not least because the product line is constantly being modernised and fitted with the latest technology," says Walter Stephan, CEO of FACC AG. "We are even more pleased that Airbus is relying on the strong positioning of the FACC as a recognised leader for technology and quality in the field of fibre composite applications. The appointment is further evidence of our expertise and gives us the opportunity to contribute with innovative solutions to a higher efficiency of the A320 family."

Sharklets are large wing tip devices, designed by Airbus, made from light-weight composites. They are an option on A320 Family aircraft and standard on all members of the new A320neo Family. They offer operators four per cent fuel burn reduction on longer range sectors and provide the flexibility of either adding an additional 100 nautical miles range or increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.

Thanks to ongoing innovations in materials, processes, technology and its very well-trained staff, FACC has established itself as a major subcontractor of Airbus for the entire A320 family (single-aisle aircraft of types A318, A319, A320 and A321), and will extend its supply services to the new A320neo in future. In addition to the newly placed work packages for sharklets, aft belly fairings and the various cabin components, FACC also supplies the ram air inlets, antenna parts, connecting angles, outboard flaps, Karman fairings and fan cowls. The delivery of components for more than 4,300 aircraft of the A320 family emphasises the expertise of FACC in development and production.

With the new orders FACC will increase their scope of supply for the two most common models A321/A320 from a baseline of 100% in 2010 to 236% for the A321, and 220% for the A320 in 2017. During the same period, the sales volume of the FACC will record a growth rate of at least 240 % with the A320 programme, depending on market demand. In this way, the new work packages are making an important contribution to securing the growth plans of the company.

In addition to the A320 family, FACC is also a supply partner of Airbus for various fibre composite components for the A330 and A380 series programmes, as well as for the new A350 XWB programme.