Story ID: 
Airbus Helicopters Continues To Attack Supply-chain Issues
By: Mark Huber
Caption: The rotorcraft OEM is buying suppliers, out-of-production aircraft for parts
Word Count: 201
Airbus Helicopters continues to take extraordinary measures to alleviate supply-chain difficulties that have disrupted the rotorcraft industry over the last three years. While acknowledging these difficulties in “meeting our customers’ spare parts and repair needs,” the company recently told AIN that it has employed a variety of curative measures.
They include a “massive” $438 million investment in inventories and support for critical suppliers that included the outright acquisition of certain suppliers, such as dynamic component manufacturer ZF Luftfahrttechnik (ZFL) in January. ZFL, now known as Airbus Helicopters Technik, has delivered more than 10,000 helicopter gearboxes worldwide, including those for the Airbus H135 light twin. It is also a partner on the H145 program.
Airbus Helicopters also is dual-sourcing parts and components, making improvements in its “internal setup,” facilitating TBO extensions, and conducting buy-backs of used aircraft to provide parts for out-of-production models. Over the last two years, Airbus has increased production by 60 percent, and its suppliers have boosted output by 35 percent.
In addition to these recovery measures, Airbus Helicopters has identified hundreds of critical parts that it is individually tracking as part of a continuing effort to restore normal supply as quickly as possible.