None of the world’s major helicopter manufacturers stands to lose more than Eurocopter should the U.S. economy falter. The company is making large capital investments throughout the country to sustain its huge production, support, warehouse and training operations in Texas, Ohio and elsewhere. The last thing it wants is a recession wiping away sales already in its order book.
Still, money being spent now in the U.S. represents a long-term investment by Eurocopter, and North America appears to be a good bet. Sales to U.S. buyers account for 30 percent of the company’s business in terms of units delivered and the total dollar figure has been climbing every year. The company also landed a major contract with the U.S. Army to produce Lakota light utility helicopters, a machine based on the EC 145. Sales to new buyers outside North America could help pick up the slack in the event of a downturn here, but clearly the U.S. is a market Eurocopter covets.
