Airbus is Europe’s dominant power when it comes to aircraft manufacturing. The company is a direct rival to United States’ Boeing, and the two firms have been going head to head over the decades. However, Airbus has recently been ramping up its production on US soil. What spurred on this decision?
Attracting the best talent
Airbus has two engineering centers in the US. The first one opened in Wichita, Kansas, in June 2002, which specializes in airframe design and analysis. Subsequently, the company’s site in Mobile, Alabama, opened in September 2015, which focuses on cabin and cargo systems across the product line.
When the Wichita branch was opened, former chairman of Airbus Americas Allan McArtor was clear about why this area was chosen. He said it’s all about location, and this is where the expertise lies. The company emphasized that there is an excellent pool of talent in the region, and it is easy to attract engineers.
The success in Kansas gave Airbus the confidence to build a large-scale site in the US. Subsequently, the Mobile site was initially launched to assemble A319s, A320s, and A321s.
Global strategy
When the $600 million was completed, former Airbus president and CEO Fabrice Brégier spoke about the development in a press release seen by Simple Flying. He explained that the move signifies that Airbus has become the first truly global aircraft manufacturer and that it is now also a truly American outfit.
Read more: Why Does Airbus Build Aircraft In The United States?