Piper Aircraft forms a high-tech manufacturing division as it sees high demand for general aviation airplanes.
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Piper Aircraft said Monday at EAA AirVenture that it expects to deliver 270 aircraft this year, up from 236 in 2022. Company v-p of sales, marketing, and customer support Ron Gunnarson characterized the market as “the best many of us have ever seen,” with dealer inventories of new M-class airplanes, as well as Seminoles and Archers, at “near zero” and available used inventories of M-class aircraft at less than 3 percent. He called market conditions, coupled with continuing supply-chain challenges, “both a curse and a blessing” that was forcing the company to “keep it real” and not over-expand during the current boom.
Gunnarson said Piper’s bottom line continues to be accredited by large fleet orders for training aircraft, including one announced earlier this year from Blue Line Aviation in North Carolina for up to 115 aircraft. He also noted strong demand for the company’s Archer DX turbo-diesel engine training aircraft from foreign markets, particularly India, which he characterized as “one of the fastest-growing commercial markets.”
According to Gunnarson, Piper is meeting the challenge of increased demand with a $30 million modernization of plant and equipment that includes robotic welders and 3D printers. These capabilities are forming the foundation of the Piper industrial manufacturing division, which will serve Piper’s manufacturing and, using excess capacity, outside customers.
Gunnarson added that Piper is continuing to aggressively compete for talent by offering superior fringe benefits, including a family health center that provides care to employees and their families at “zero cost.”
Piper Aircraft said Monday at EAA AirVenture that it expects to deliver 270 aircraft this year, up from 236 in 2022. Company v-p of sales, marketing, and customer support Ron Gunderson characterized the market as “the best many of us have ever seen,” with dealer inventories of new M-class airplanes, as well as Seminoles and Archers, at “near zero” and available used inventories of M-class aircraft at less than 3 percent. He called market conditions, coupled with continuing supply-chain challenges, “both a curse and a blessing” that was forcing the company to “keep it real” and not over-expand during the current boom.
Gunderson said Piper’s bottom line continues to be accredited by large fleet orders for training aircraft, including one announced earlier this year from Blue Line Aviation in North Carolina for up to 115 aircraf. he also noted strong demand for the company’s Archer DX turbo-diesel engine training aircraft from foreign markets, particularly India, which he characterized as “one of the fastest-growing commercial markets.”
According to Gunderson, Piper is meeting the challenge of increased demand with a $30 million modernization of plant and equipment that includes robotic welders and 3D printers. These capabilities are forming the foundation of the Piper industrial manufacturing division, which will serve Piper’s manufacturing and, using excess capacity, outside customers.