Posted on 08/03/2006 7:53:41 AM PDT by phantomworker
Kawasaki Heavy's decision shows that ties aren't getting any stronger between Airbus and Japanese manufacturers, which have historically been close to Boeing Co. (BA).
TOKYO — Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. said Thursday it will end its 15-year-old contract to supply body panels to Airbus for A321 aircraft at the end of March.
The Japanese heavy machinery maker said it decided not to extend the contract because the two companies failed to agree on terms for its renewal.
Since 1991, Kawasaki Heavy has provided Airbus with body panels used behind the main wings of the 185-seater A321 jet, the company said.
As of June, Airbus had received orders for 545 A321s and has delivered 355.
The company declined to provide other details on its business with Airbus, such as past revenue figures from supplying panels for the A321 or the amount of orders.
Aircraft parts production is a growing business area for Japanese heavy machinery manufacturers.
In the fiscal year ended in March, Kawasaki Heavy enjoyed a 16 percent rise in its aerospace business segment sales, partly due to higher sales of parts for Boeing 777 jetliners.
Another one jumps ship, bails out.
The Toulousse Goose is cooked!
Maybe they need the production space to go back to making Zero fighters for action over Korea again.
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