Planes order just the job for Tees workers
Jan 24 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette
A RECORD-BREAKING £2bn order by Taiwan’s largest airline for 20 Rolls-Royce-powered Airbuses stands to boost the aerospace industry on Teesside.
Last year, local order books for components in civil aircraft finally clawed back to pre 9/11 levels following a six-year drought as passengers recovered their confidence.
But growing demand from Asia, particularly for narrow-bodied aircraft to satisfy China and India’s booming domestic travel industry, means companies such as Stillington-based Darchem Engineering, are expanding.
The firm, which specialises in engine insulation systems and high temperature lightweight fabrication, recently began recruiting an extra 25 staff following a 250,000 mailshot to local homes.
Marketing director John Padbury said: “The biggest demand for airlines is coming from China, India and Asia Pacific; 10 years ago it was the US. We have work going into B737 narrow bodied 100 seaters that are selling like hot cakes. That programme has been strengthening and we have been increasing production to match it.”
The company, 60-65% of whose production goes to the civil aviation industry, employs 600 on Teesside and 130 in Gloucester.
The Taiwanese order for 14 A350-900 extra wide-bodied jets, with an option to buy another six for use on long-haul routes to Europe, the US and Australia from 2015, was described by Airbus as “a new vote of confidence” in its eco-efficient aircraft.
