Mexico has several assets to become a major global aerospace platform

Mexico has several assets to become a major global aerospace platform, analyses French magazine Commerce International. First, the South American country is a member of the North American

Bombardier Learjet 85 Aircraft Composite Structure Manufacturing to Take Place at Querétaro Facility

Today, corporate aviation leader Bombardier announced its facility in Querétaro, Mexico will manufacture the composite structure for its all-new, state-of-the-art Learjet 85 business jet. The Querétaro site will also manufacture the electrical harness and perform sub-assembly systems installation.

Eurocopter flies high in Mexico.

For long, the helicopter maker only employed about 50 workers in Mexico. Today, it has more than 140 employees in the country and generates $ 105M in turnover. “Our order book is full through 2011 and we are catching up with Eurocopter Brazil”,

German Chancellor Angela Merkel ended a visit to Mexico

German Chancellor Angela Merkel ended a visit to Mexico by voicing support to the idea of EADS transferring production to the Central American country, reports Negocio. After an official tour of Latin American countries –Brazil, Colombia, Peru-, Ms Merkel stopped in Mexico, where she delivered a speech in front of the President.

Growing appeal of Mexico for European aerospace manufacturers

Les Echos investigates the growing appeal of Mexico particularly for European aerospace manufacturers and their suppliers, which see in this dollar-based country a solution to the threat of the weak US currency over their competitiveness. The state of Queretaro, 200km north of Mexico City, has become the new global aeronautics ‘El Dorado’.

Zodiac confirmed it would announce an acquisition shortly.

The French aerospace supplier unveiled its first-half results (to Feb. 29) yesterday. Due to the weak dollar, the group reported a 20 % drop in operating result, at € 110M. The acquisition, therefore, should target a company located “in the dollar zone”, a Zodiac spokesman said. In parallel, the group will develop production capacities in low-cost countries, such as Mexico, Brazil, Tunisia and South Africa. Reuters (17/04), La Tribune, Les Echos

EADS looks for opportunities in America.

During a conference held by France-Ameriques and French-American Foundation, Louis Gallois reasserted yesterday that EADS would acquire companies in the US, but also make investments or look for partnerships in other countries like Mexico, Canada or Brazil. EADS is “scrutinising midsize companies in the US to assess which ones could possibly be our target”, he declared, adding that EADS had some € 7Bn at hand that it can use to buy up dollar-based companies or invest in setting up industrial activities in dollar-based countries.

Special report about Mexico’s emerging aerospace industry.

Attracted by lower wages, government incentives, trained workers and new agreements with the US, aerospace companies are rushing to Mexico. General Electric, for instance, has set up a research centre where aircraft engines are designed. Bombardier, meanwhile, has plans to eventually assemble complete aircraft in the country.