10/21/2008 15h34
Helibras starts selection of suppliers
Valor Econômico 10/21/2008
While the effects of the crisis are discussed, giant aerospace EADS (European Aeronautics Defense and Space) silently started the process of classification of suppliers of the Super Cougar, the helicopter that will be produced in Brazil, from an order of 51 units that the Brazilian government should endorse until December. In process of expansion of the capacity of the plant installed in Marseille, France, the only one of the world that produces the same model, Eurocopter, EADS's helicopter division, follows the strategy of the European group of diversifying the production basis, investing more in emerging markets. The process of qualification of Brazilian started with a meeting with parts manufacturers. From than on, the company's headquarters in France sent forms. The companies that believe they are in condition to supply parts for the new helicopter have already started sending filled forms. The potential suppliers are practically the same that supply Embraer. Due to that, a great part of them have plants in the Vale do Paraíba region, in the interior of São Paulo, where the Brazilian plane manufactures is installed. Brazil is one of the countries that integrate EADS' strategy to expand operations outside Europe. Today, besides the European units in France and German, the group produces helicopters in the United States, Australia and China, and Brazil. The Super Cougar was launched a year ago in Europe. The Brazilian model will be produced at Helibrás, a company installed in Itajubá (MG). Although not commenting the matter, the EADS group is about to buy the shares that investments group Bueninvest has in Helibrás. This will raise its share in the company from the current 45% to 70%. The government of Minas Gerais has 25% of it. The change in share participation occurs in the moment when the new industrial project demands more funds. An investment around 350 million Euro in the project of the new helicopter is estimated. EADS decided to give the Brazilian helicopter the name EC 725 BR, although the market is used to calling it Super Cougar, the same nickname it has in Europe. With a capacity for 22 passengers, the Super Cougar costs around US$ 25 million to US$ 30 million, ten times the price of the small Colibri, produced in Brazil for 30 years.
