200 aviation companies send reps to Air Capital Supplier Summit
Millions of dollars are on the line for Kansas aviation suppliers wanting to do business with Airbus.
Despite a backlog of plane orders, Airbus Chairman Allan McArtor said the new airplane business is going strong, as the company tries to increase its capacity.
"We cannot increase our capacity without increasing our supply chain capability, we cannot increase our supply chain capabilty unless we recruit more qualified suppliers," McArtor said.
McArtor was also asked about the fallout after the tanker competition that resulted in Boeing ultimitely closing its Wichita Plant.
"A health supply chain creates a healthy competition in our business, continuous innovation creates competitive products and as long as we have competitive products we and our competitor will get our fair share of the market," McArtor said.
Spirit AeroSystems also plays a large role as a Airbus supplier for its A350 and A320 programs, which run into the millions. A spokesman said the company spends a half-billion dollars a year with 400 Kansas suppliers, because of core midwestern values of hard work and honesty.
Organizers said 188 companies signed up in five days for the Air Capital Suppliers Summit, arranged by Kansas Senator Jerry Moran at the National Center for Aviation Training in Wichita.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.