FRANCE’S HELICOPTER SUPPLIERS AT HELI-EXPO IN HOUSTON SHOW THIS MONTH

Chicago, February 4, 2010 (word count: 350)
France is one of the top countries exporting helicopters and helicopter equipment. France is the second partner for U.S. imports after Canada: In 2007, over a quarter of helicopters imported to the U.S. were from France, a value of $110 million. In France, helicopter manufacturing is carried out by Eurocopter, which remains the global helicopter-industry leader in both market shares and sales, holding an impressive 52% share of the world market for civilian helicopters. The country hosts many companies that dedicate part of their business to helicopters, be it in design and testing, materials manufacturing or assembly. A delegation of French suppliers representing this range of expertise will be attending at the Heli-Expo exhibition in Houston, TX, from Feb. 21 to 23, 2010.

With revenues of €8.9 billion ($12.3 billion USD) in 2009, the French helicopter industry has again reported excellent overall results. This industry makes a leading contribution to France’s economy in terms of trade and highly skilled employment (70,000 workers). SMEs and OEM suppliers report €4.4 billion ($6.1 billion USD) in turnover and 19,700 workers*. These SMEs are the strong point of the helicopter industry in France, a sample of which are attending Heli-Expo.

The following attending companies are available for meetings and interviews during the course of the show.

Cogemoule: Designs and manufactures large tools and molds in steel, aluminum, Invar or resin (up to 60 meters long) to process composites and plastic materials

Curtil S.A.: Makes high-precision molds and precision mechanical components

D2T: Offers turnkey solutions in engine and powertrain engineering, on-site technical assitance and subcontracting and test bed equipment and engineering

Detampel: Sheet metal company well-known for its ability to develop and produce complex sheet metal part using forming, welding, riveting, 5-axes laser cutting, and heat treatment

Luna: Manufacturer aircraft covers for over 35 years. In partnership with leading textile groups and always seeking new, more resistant and lightweight materials to meet the specifications of aircraft manufacturers

* - Information and statistics in this press release were compiled from reports released by GIFAS, AIA and the Union Française de l’Hélicoptère.

For more information, please contact:

UBIFRANCE FRENCH TRADE OFFICE
Souheil Yansi
Aerospace Trade Advisor
205 N. Michigan Ave. Ste. 3730
Chicago, IL 60601
Tel.: (312) 327-5254
E-mail: souheil.yansi@ubifrance.fr

or:

FRENCH TECHNOLOGY PRESS OFFICE
205 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3740
Chicago, IL 60601
Tel.: (312) 327-5260
E-mail: contact.ftpo@ubifrance.fr