15 Jul 2009 - Australia / Malaysia, Quickstep Holdings Limited announced on July 8 that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CTRM), a major Malaysian-based manufacturer of composite components for Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
The agreement signed in the presence of senior Airbus executives, sees the two organisations agreeing to work together to fast-track the evaluation and certification of Quickstep’s Out-of-Autoclave manufacturing technology (the Quickstep Process) with a view to introducing it to CTRM’s manufacturing facility based in Melaka, Malaysia, as soon as possible.
Both parties are focused on the quick and efficient qualification of parts from CTRM’s major customer, Airbus, for use on the new generation A350 aircraft, or other aircraft so that CTRM can commence production of parts in the shortest possible timeframe. CTRM has agreed to introduce the Quickstep technology to the Airbus network and other aircraft manufacturers.
As the fifth largest supplier of composite parts to Airbus worldwide, CTRM brings aerospace industry know-how and commercial connections to assist in facilitating the certification of a flying composite part. Quickstep brings its technology, know-how and expertise in Out-of-Autoclave composite processing.
CTRM, which employs over 1,200 people, is currently expanding its manufacturing facilities to service an order book which currently stands at RM2.8 billion (A$1 billion). One of its major customers is Spirit AeroSystems, the largest independent supplier of aero structures and systems in the commercial aviation market. Spirit AeroSystems (Europe) Limited has recently decided to open up a new facility in Malaysia.
Quickstep’s CEO, Mr Philippe Odouard, said the two companied had agreed to work collaboratively to fast-track the process of certification of the Quickstep Process manufactured part onto a commercial aircraft and then to introduce parts into production, as well as to consider other areas where the two groups might work together.
“This arrangement complements our existing portfolio of global alliances and strong relationships with major global aerospace companies including the EADS Group, as well as Tier One manufacturers and suppliers to these organisations,” Mr Odouard said.
“We will work closely with CTRM to apply the Quickstep Process to the commercial production of aerospace parts, in particular for the Airbus A350 Program, which because of its high usage of composites, is one of the key drivers of the forecast expansion of demand for composite components,” Mr Odouard commented.
The CTRM program is due to attain part-validation by the fourth Quarter of 2009.
About CTRM
Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CTRM) was incorporated on 20 November 1990 with Ministry of Finance Incorporated as its principle shareholder. CTRM is entrusted with a strategic role to develop high technology based industry, namely the aerospace and composites industries. The government identified these two industries as the most crucial constituents to the future industrial growth for Malaysia.
Today, CTRM is part of the global supply chain of composites aero structures for major commercial and military aircraft manufacturers in the world.
Its current business has spawned beyond the aerospace industry with contracts from the automotive and maritime sectors. It is also pioneering the development of the first Malaysian made Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and other defence related equipments. Its future plans and strategies include new aircraft programmes, integrated composites manufacturing, transportation, wind energy, industrial, MRO and FBO facilities.
About Quickstep Holdings Limited
Quickstep is an Australian-based company, which is at the forefront of advanced materials manufacturing and technology transfer for the global aerospace and defence industries.
The use of advanced composites is growing at an extraordinary rate with carbon material usage planned to increase at an average rate of 20% per annum for the next 10 years underwritten by high use carbon fibre commercial aircraft such as Boeing 787 and Airbus A359. Light weighting of vehicles is the prime driver with commercial aircraft and military equipment leading the charge.
Quickstep has significant capabilities and expertise in the production of aerospace-grade composite components using both conventional autoclave-based manufacturing and leading edge out-of-autoclave production technologies, including its proprietary Quickstep Process.
In early 2009, the company commissioned a A$10 million manufacturing facility located in North Coogee, Western Australia, now one of the most advanced composite aerospace manufacturing facilities in Australia with the second largest production capacity in the nation. Quickstep has established strong working relationships with several major aerospace groups and Tier One Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) to the aerospace and defence sectors, and is also pursuing a range of commercial opportunities through its global network of subsidiaries (located in Dayton, Ohio; and Munich, Germany), as well as through Alliances with Universities (Manchester, UK and Geelong, Victoria, Australia) and a number of Teaming Arrangements.
The Quickstep Business Model is based on generating revenue and income by:
• Technology transfer through the provision of the proprietary Quickstep Solution and production equipment with technical support and maintenance services provided under an ongoing support agreements or via joint venture arrangement;
• Manufacture of composite components, out of its Australian facility, for aircraft OEM’s and Tier One suppliers as Build to Print or Build (and design) to Specification contracts; and
• Conducting paid or self-funded Research & Development on new composite structures and material in the aerospace and defence sectors.
Quickstep is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX Ticker: OHL) and has a strong institutional and retail shareholder base.
Source: Quickstep Holdings Limited / JEC Composites website
