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On the Record with
Amedeo Caporaletti, Ceo AgustaWestland
"AgustaWestland is already considered to
be the most active helicopter company in the world, and our goal
is to become the global leader in the rotorcraft industry."
 No mincing of words there from Amedeo Caporaletti, CEO of
AgustaWestland, about where the company is heading.
"AgustaWestland is already linked through a network of joint-ventures
and collaborations with the major helicopter manufacturers and with
other leading aeronautical companies, yet the helicopter market
appears to remain too small to sustain five major manufacturers
in addition to the other regional players.
"We all expect additional consolidation may come, and we
will certainly be very sensitive to this process," he told
Show News.
The Anglo-Italian company delivered 112 helicopters worldwide
last year, of which 55 went to the military and government sector
and 57 to the civil sector.
Consolidated revenues of AgustaWestland reached about $2.5 billion
in 2001, with a year-end order book of some $7.7 billion.
A major development last year was an agreement with Lockheed Martin
to promote the US101-an "Americanized" EH101-to the U.S.
armed forces.
AgustaWestland was officially formed exactly one year ago. Since
then Caporaletti has overseen what is perhaps the world's broadest
range of utility rotorcraft that spans from the medium single-engine
A119 Koala, the light twin A109 Power, A129 combat helicopter, the
AB412 utility aircraft, to the NH90. Westland is well known for
its Lynx, a worldwide success, and the common program it developed
with Agusta-the EH101. New projects approaching fruition include
the Super Lynx 300, the 15-passenger AB139 utility helicopter and
the BA609 civil tiltrotor.
AgustaWestland's fleet now totals 7,200 helicopters in 80 countries,
with 200 aircraft in North America-nearly all of them Agusta A109s.
Caporaletti said he is not surprised by the success of the A109.
"Since its introduction on the market in 1997, more than
250 Powers have been sold around the world, confirming our light
twin as the best selling helicopter in its class," he said.
New Power configurations are constantly offered to meet market demand,
including the VVIP Elite unveiled at the Paris Air Show last June.
"After its success in the corporate and EMS sector, the Power
confirms its unrivalled reputation also in the utility and governmental
sector," he added.
Orders for the A119 Koala are also coming in, and now stand at
35 since its introduction in 1999. EMS customers include Horsham
and LifeFlight in the U.S., SchenkAir in Europe and Careflight in
Australia, while a number have also been sold for VIP transportation.
"In only one year AgustaWestland has seized all the opportunities
to strengthen its market position, and we will leverage on the great
potential the merger is offering to us," Caporaletti promised.
By John Morris
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AgustaWestland in Asia
AgustaWestland is aiming its NH90 utility helicopter
(made in partnership with Eurocopter and others) squarely
at Singapore's requirement for naval helicopters. If successful,
this will be its first export sale outside Europe.
Signed orders for the NH90 now stand in excess
of 360 from eight European countries, with the program for
France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands expected to require
more than 600 aircraft. Finland, Norway and Sweden recently
selected the NH90, and Portugal joined the program last June.
AgustaWestland's EH101 has already made a mark
on the Asian scene with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, which
operates one on a variety of missions from medevac to VVIP
transport for the Emperor. Denmark and Portugal selected the
EH101 last year, bringing orders for the three-engined helicopter
to 128.
The Agusta A109 Power has scored in Asia with
orders that include two from Malaysia's Fire and Rescue Department,
and two from Deer Jet in China to operate a harbor pilot service
in Shanghai. Agusta is promoting the Power as a multirole
aircraft, pointing to its victories for 20 with the Swedish
armed forces, up to 40 with the South African Army, and the
U.S. Coast Guard.
The Westland Super Lynx, too, continues to
notch up export orders in Asia, with orders for the latest
Super Lynx 300 from Malaysia and Thailand. The Royal Oman
Air Force is the third customer.
Singapore, South Korea, Germany, Denmark and
South Africa also operate the Super Lynx.
JM
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