industry information > market development > SBAC Toulouse

Despite the current difficulties Airbus remains upbeat regarding its future. The combination of the Power 08 plan and the large order book (450 a/c to be delivered in 2007) will redress the situation according to the new President, Louis Gallois.

The power 08 strategy is designed to reduce costs including the transfer of product manufacture to US $ dominated areas of cost. At the same time Airbus will seek to improve their relationship with suppliers as part of ?team? approach. This could open the door for current and potential suppliers to seek new opportunities.

The delay to the A380 programme will leave EADS/Airbus with a 1.1b€ shortfall in 2006.The A350XWB project remains a top priority for the new Airbus President who despite the plan to save €2b per annum is confident of funding the engineering and financial resources to launch the aircraft.

The SBAC TOULOUSE Bureau is monitoring the situation and is at your disposal to welcome you in their facility to join the already successful members.

The SBAC Toulouse office was honoured with a visit on 2^nd July by Sir Peter Westmacott, British Ambassador Paris . Sir Peter was visiting Airbus and took time out to meet SBAC members at an informal round table discussion.

He was interested to learn of each members activities and their involvement with Airbus. The Ambassador was accompanied by Edward Bannerman, First Secretary (Economy and Finance) and Alastair Roberts Consul in Bordeaux ;

 

The members of the Toulouse Bureau were privileged to receive a presentation given by the newly appointed < Head of the A350XWB project > Didier Evrard, accompanied by members of his team; this is the third such presentation given to SBAC Toulouse members in the last 18 months and was very much appreciated by all concerned. This is in keeping with the Bureau policy to invite high profile presentations from Airbus and major sub contracts.

 

 

Members of SBAC Toulouse recently met with Dougie Hunter, Chief Engineer for the Airbus A350XWB. The working breakfast, held at the SBAC Toulouse office, provided companies with an opportunity to get the latest briefing on Airbus plans and ask Dougie Hunter about the issues that were of most interest to their companies. This was the latest in the regular series of breakfast briefings organised by SBAC Toulouse in its efforts to help companies access the important market opportunities in the Toulouse area.

"Waer Systems have only had a presence at the SBAC Toulouse Bureau since March of this year but we are already reaping the benefits of the decision to take out a Tier 2 partnership contract. Our profile has been significantly raised in Toulouse and the quality of meetings that Sophie and Roger are generating for us has been brilliant. They are both incredibly well connected in the Toulouse aerospace community and in addition, have made us feel very welcome, such that we really feel as though our Toulouse Office is a home from home. I would recommend the SBAC Toulouse bureau and the services unreservedly - it is a perfect entry mechanism to the aerospace industry in France." David Snelson, Sales Director, Waer Systems Limited

June 2006: the PFW group of companies has opened a liaison office within SBAC's Toulouse facility. PFW Aerospace AG is SBAC Toulouse's first German member. Full details on attached pdf press release.

PFW Toulouse (154.8 KB)

SBAC Toulouse organised a working lunch on 6 June 2006 with EUROCOPTER. Due to the company's location, the lunch took place in the Novotel Vitrolles, Marseilles . The six SBAC members who participated in this event were welcomed by Eurocopter's Procurement Executive Vice-President and the Vice President ECG Systems Procurement. An informal discussion followed, which covered Eurocopter's new organisation, procurement policy , relationship with suppliers as well as more specific questions concerning programmes. This was the first time a working lunch had been organised with a major local aerospace player other than Airbus and the experience proved to be a success for SBAC's members.

SBAC members who attended:

• Dunlop Aerospace Braking Systems
• Doncasters
• Dolgarrog
• Maher
• GED Sitec
• PFW

In line with tradition, SBAC Toulouse celebrated its 7th anniversary on 11 May, 2006. This year the reception was associated with the Royal Aeronautical Society's Branches Conference. Sponsored jointly by the British Consulate in Bordeaux and five of the Toulouse members, the event took place in Toulouse's ancient centre, in a building classified as ?Monuments Historique?.

The wine tasting event proved a huge success: wine from the south West region was enjoyed by the 130 guests, amongst them Senior VPs from Airbus and ATR, together with Major Sub-Contractors' representatives, such as Latecoere and Liebherr. SBAC members also had the opportunity to network and meet with key customer contacts.

SBAC was delighted that guests from the Royal Aeronautical Society were able to attend the reception, which followed a fascinating lecture given by Peter Chandler, the A380 Project Test Pilot. Keith Mann from the Royal Aeronautical Society thanked SBAC Toulouse for organising the event. SBAC HQ was represented by Robert Sayers, who is Director of SBAC Toulouse.

 

The Toulouse region has the largest aerospace cluster in the world centred around Airbus, EADS, AMC, Air France Maintenance, ATR.  As well as the prime contractors, the area has second and third tier suppliers to all the major French primes, offering supply chain access opportunities for UK companies to key programmes such as the Airbus A380.

 

The aims and objectives of SBAC Toulouse are to:

• facilitate business development opportunities through valued added services to meet individual company objectives with Airbus and their supply chain
• provide representative facilities in Toulouse with a view to generating market access opportunities for business development activities
• provide a platform and facilitate the opportunities for members to win business in Toulouse.

SBAC Toulouse provides the following services and benefits:

• a permanent and independent base in Toulouse, catering to specific members' requirements through varying levels of membership status to encourage market access
• logistical support through the provision of office facilities, accommodation and transport arrangements, entertainment, etc
• provision of real-time marketing intelligence, monthly reports and 'flash bulletins' on newsworthy events and leads
• identification of key contacts and introductions
• visit programme co-ordination and meeting arrangements
• communication and networking events with key stakeholders
• translation services through fluent French speaking staff
• advice on how to do business with Airbus and the market
• office support and related services including conference room facilities

There are three service tiers:

tier 1
This offers the provision of a permanent office.
24,000€ per annum (plus VAT)

tier 2
This offers an office, when required, on a 'hot-desking' basis.
12,000€ per annum (plus VAT)