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The information contained in these press releases and statements was accurate, in all material respects, at the time of issuance. However, Continental Aerospace Technologies GmbH assumes no obligation to update the information to reflect subsequent developments.
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Jul. 17, 2007
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Thielert Interim Results: Half a Year of Production at the Altenburg Site
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- CEO Frank Thielert produces a positive interim result
- Further expansion planned
Altenburg/Thuringia – On the occasion of the visit of Thuringia's Minister President Dieter Althaus (CDU "conservative party") yesterday, Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, a subsidiary of the listed company Thielert AG (stock market identification code: T3C), reported a positive interim result over the first six months at the new plant in Altenburg. After a construction period of only six months, the aircraft engine manufacturer started production of engine retrofit kits for General Aviation aircraft on schedule in December 2006. The new plant at the Altenburg-Nobitz airport is already the third German plant following Hamburg and Lichtenstein/Saxony. Further expansion of the plant is already being planned to include a test bench building as well as another production hall.
Positive Interim Result
"We are very satisfied with the development at the Altenburg site", said CEO Frank Thielert in a discussion with Minister President Althaus. "The site with its direct access to the Altenburg-Nobitz airport meets our requirements as an aircraft engine manufacturer to our complete satisfaction. The new plant is the ideal addition to our Saxony engine plant and makes synergy effects possible in all areas that are directly connected to the installation and trial of our CENTURION engines in aircraft."
In Altenburg, the engines supplied by the Lichtenstein plant are completed into retrofit-kits. This means that the engine is installed in so-called carrier frames and connected to peripheral equipment such as, for example, the coolers, battery, and heat exchanger. The kits are then delivered to customers.
Currently, Thielert offers kerosene piston aircraft engines in two performance classes: the CENTURION 2.0 with 135 HP as well as the CENTURION 4.0 with 350 HP. Since both engines are only offered as preassembled kits, both for the initial equipping of new aircraft as well as for the replacement market, expansion of kit assembly was urgently needed.
"With the newly constructed plant, we have created the necessary space in Altenburg for the specialized kit assembly," explained Carsten Rudolph, Head of production at Thielert. "The assembly line is characterized by its high flexibility and expandability." Assembly is designed in such a way that by operating with just one shift, 30 kits can be produced per week.
During the tour, Minister President Althaus visited different departments of Thielert production at the Altenburg site. Besides kit assembly, the departments included kit development, electronics production, logistics, welding, test flights, as well as some areas of sales. Currently 42 employees work in Altenburg. The new production hall has six assembly boxes and has capacity for six aircraft. Other aircraft can be placed on the apron.
Expansion Planned
Just half a year after opening the new location, the company is already making expansion plans. In the coming year, the current useable space of 2,732 qm (29,400 sq ft) on the large 21,500 qm (231,400 sq ft) premises is to be doubled by the construction of another production hall. In addition, the construction of a test bench building is planned for this year, which will open up additional resources for prototype construction and test flights in particular. More employees are to be hired in accordance with the order volumes. The company is looking for trained welders, mechanics, and above all engineers for engine development and engine integration.
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