Hegan Aeronautics and Space Grew by 7.5%

The 37 bodies incorporated into the Hegan Aeronautics and Space Cluster association had a turnover last year of 1,255 million euros – an increase of 7.5% over 2009. These associated companies closed 2010 financial year – having to demonstrate their ability to withstand a year affected by the world financial and economic crisis – with a growth in contracted personnel, the incorporation of new segments and the maintenance of a high level of R&D investment.

Despite the difficulties arising from the crisis not having abated, 2010 left stagnation behind and gave the first signs of the beginnings of recovery, this being expected to continue throughout the 2011 financial year and to accelerate in the last term. The return of confidence of consumers and airlines, reflected in the good progress made in commercial aviation last year and in the incorporation of new programs of production, have triggered this growth in sales of the Hegan associated companies.

“We can say that we are returning to the road of growth, though interrupted from time to time, and we forecast new growth for 2011, which could be about 6% by the end of this period”- explains Jorge Unda, president, HEGAN.

Airbus A350XWB workload is very important for the future of our companies. Our members are taking part in the detailed and conceptual design stages for a number of different components, systems, assembly lines and tooling and structural tests. In some cases, such as Aernnova, Aciturri and Alestis, our associates are acting as risk partners with work packages for large structures of the aircraft. This risk model  is also apllied to the Trent XWB engine, in which ITP is responsible for the low pressure turbine (LPT) of this engine.

Special mention might be given to the participaction of our members in new helicopter programmes, such as the Super-Puma of Eurocopter and the NH90 of Agusta Westland, and in business aricrafts, including several models made by Hawker Beechcraft.