Rotor - Eurocopter

32
BENCHMARK
American Eurocopter
Turns 40
On July 10, 2009, American Eurocopter (AEC) celebrated 40 years
of leadership and growth in the United States with an “All-American”
celebration commemorating its achievements since 1969. Festivities
included static displays, sky divers and aerial demonstrations of Eurocopter’s
historic models as well as its technologically advanced product line.
Among a crowd of over a thousand
guests, including government officials,
customers and the company’s
workforce, the President and
CEO of the Eurocopter Group, Lutz Bertling,
praised the leading role AEC has played in
the global aerospace industry: “The initial seed that was planted
has grown and changed over the years into a company that is
the leading provider of helicopters in the US, including the law
enforcement and emergency medical services sectors. And
today, military customers are increasingly turning to us to meets
their requirements.” Marc Paganini, the President and CEO of
AEC, added that the company’s achievements are the results
of “what is possible when the best of American aerospace and
its exceptional workforce is paired with innovation, technology,
energy and opportunity that is prevalent throughout the global
ROTOR JOURNAL - NO. 83 - OCTOBER/ NOVEMBER 2009
ARTICLE: PAIGE STANTON
© AEC
© AEC
aerospace community.” Founded in 1969, AEC has grown from
a mere 43 employees into one of the most successful helicopter
companies in the US with approximately 750 employees.
AEC’s growth, driven by the American spirit of enterprise, has
been accompanied by significant expansion of its facilities in
Grand Prairie and the creation of a major manufacturing and
assembly line facility in Mississippi. The company intends to
continue its expansion, announcing the inauguration of a new
Customer Service Center on the morning of the celebration (see
inset). AEC has been the market share leader in the American
rotorcraft industry for the last nine years. This success reflects
the company’s development as well as its strong organization,
product design and planning. The company is the US arm of
the Eurocopter Group and is also a subsidiary of EADS North
America.
Two key US government operators on hand at the anniversary