The aerospace construction company Sonaca, based in Gosselies (Charleroi), has just signed a 300 million dollar contract with the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer. After more than five months of negotiation, Embraer has awarded it the contract to design and manufacture the wing slats for the next-generation E2/E75 aircraft.
"This is a significant contract for us in that it represents 10% of Sonaca's turnover. Many elements played in our favour, but especially our ability to provide a competitive, quality offer and the fact that our company is considered as a reliable partner by Embraer", confirmed Bernard Delvaux, CEO of Sonaca. The company is the prime contractor for the assembly consisting of the wing slats and the flaps that operate the devices. "For the new aircraft, Embraer has changed the engine and wings, which improves the aircraft's performance by 15% (aviation fuel consumption, distance travelled, etc.)", stated Marcel Devresse, Sales Director South America for Sonaca.
The Wallonia-based company has been supplying aircraft parts to Embraer for several years and the Brazilian manufacturer named Sonaca as Best Supplier of the Year 2014, in recognition of its reliability. "When developing a new aircraft, it is important that there are no unpleasant surprises or delays", said Mr Delvaux.
The new contract represents a potential turnover of 300 million dollars over 10 years and even more. According to Bernard Delvaux, it is initially three years of work for the design office and industrialisation department (involving approximately 450 employees, mainly engineers), then the production phase begins with the various components and their assembly. The first deliveries should take place in the second half of 2016 and the first flight of Embraer's new aircraft is scheduled for 2017. "This new contract will stabilise employment at Gosselies over the long term, when we have experienced a downturn", he said. In addition to Gosselies, the Brazilian subsidiaries (Sobraer, Pesola, Sopeçaero), where Sonaca has almost 400 employees, will also benefit from this new contract.
Sonaca posted a consolidated turnover of over 360 million euros and a net profit of 23 million in 2014. It employs 2,500 people, including 1,800 at Gosselies.
Source: L’Echo
