Swidnik has shipped the first Agusta AB-139 fuselage from Poland

Published: 3/10/2000

PZL Swidnik has shipped the first fuselage of the general-purpose 15-seater Agusta AB-139 helicopter from Poland and has plans for the manufacture of an additional five structures for transfer to Augusta's assembly facility at Verigiate near Milan. The company has become a risk-sharing partner with Agusta under the A-139 project after increasing collaboration over the past year. This follows a tough restructuring programme for Swidnik last year to reduce its workforce, cut spending and focus investment on projects that can give an adequate return in a reasonable timescale. Through this restructuring, Swidnik was able to reopen credit lines. One area that the company has developed over the last few years is co-production, which it believes, should be over 50% of its turnover. Swidnik has been particularly optimistic about the Agusta projects, in which it hopes to play a significant role. Agusta has forecast a market for 900 AB-139 helicopters over the next 20 years, with Bristow helicopters and the Australian Helitech reported to be launch customers for the new design. Swidnik is also assembling structures for Agusta's A-109 Power, with 75 units having been delivered to date. Unofficial estimates are for orders worth more than $1m.

Article ID: 1660