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 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.

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.

“We are delighted Airbus has increased its equity in the joint-venture and plans to increase the production rates of the manufacturing centre,” said Geng Ruguang, AVIC Executive Vice President. “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.”

“We are pleased to increase the share in our joint-venture with AVIC companies as our partner,” said Günter Butschek, Airbus Chief Operating Officer. “The decision underlines our commitment to the joint-venture and its future. Through this project, we are enhancing cooperation with AVIC, which is one of our most important partners in China.”

About Harbin Hafei Airbus Composite Manufacturing Centre

Harbin Hafei Airbus Composite Manufacturing Centre Company Limited (HMC) is a joint venture between Airbus China (20%) and a group of Chinese partners comprising Harbin Aircraft Industry Group Corporation Limited (HAIG, with 50%), Hafei Aviation Industry Company Limited (HAI, 10%), AviChina Industry & Technology Company Limited (AVICHINA, 10%) and Harbin Development Zone Infrastructure Development Company Limited (HELI, 10%). The Manufacturing Centre commenced production of elevators for Single-Aisle Airbus aircraft in December 2009. The Manufacturing Centre produces parts and components for Airbus single-aisle programme as well as A350 XWB programme, using the latest composite manufacturing technology based on Airbus standards and processes. Deliveries of single-aisle parts and components commenced from July 2010 and the delivery of A350 XWB components started in 2012. S19 Maintenance Door is the first A350 XWB component delivered by the HMC. In September 2013, the HMC started to deliver A350 XWB elevators.