Airbus Increase Shareholding at Harbin Manufacturing Centre

Airbus is increasing its share in the Harbin Hafei Airbus Composite Manufacturing Centre (HMC), from 20 to 25 per cent. The agreement was signed by Günter Butschek, Airbus Chief Operating Officer and Geng Ruguang, AVIC Executive Vice President.

The joint-venture which was set up back in 2009 is between Airbus and a group of Chinese partners. AVIC (the Aviation Industry Corporation of China) is the holding group of major Chinese shareholding companies that own the centre.

Geng Ruguang, AVIC Executive Vice President said;

We are delighted Airbus has increased its equity in the joint-venture and plans to increase the production rates of the manufacturing centre. Since it was set up in 2009, the Harbin Manufacturing Centre has progressed to become the best composite material aero-structures manufacturing facility in China. The roadmap Airbus and AVIC are envisaging will ensure the ongoing development of the manufacturing centre.

Following the agreement, the HMC will increase the production of A320 rudders from 50 per cent of the total production worldwide to 80 per cent. The two parties will also work toward ensuring the ramp up of the A350 XWB work packages at the HMC and also commit to exploring other opportunities.