Strata Manufacturing PJSC (Strata), the advanced composite aero-structures manufacturing facility wholly owned by Mubadala, announced key business highlights for 2015 as the company continues to focus on expanding its presence across the aerospace industry through the development of local and global supply chains and the expansion of its client base.
Strata’s revenue for 2015 crossed 400 million dirhams, up 27% on 2014 figures. During the year, Strata delivered over 433 shipsets, consisting of more than 7,511 parts – representing 29% growth in the total number of parts manufactured in 2014. Strata also embarked on an expansion project to increase the shop floor area to 31,500 m2, adding a new extension of 10,000 m² of usable production space to accommodate new work packages.
Commenting on the announcement, Badr Al Olama (photo), CEO of Strata, said: “For the last five years we’ve focused on developing Strata’s capabilities in order to become a globally competitive aerostructures manufacturer in line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, and we are extremely proud of our achievements to date. In 2016, we will embark on a year of transformation. This year we will accelerate into the next stage of growth – driven by innovation, digitization and the further development of global value chains.”
During 2015, Strata signed a number of deals that further drove the company’s global competitiveness and supply chain capabilities. Strata also placed a strong emphasis on growing its local supplier network in 2015, and now more than 50% of Strata’s suppliers are based in the UAE and have developed extensive knowledge and experience of the aerospace industry. Strata also increased its spending on local procurement to almost 40%, an increase of 10% from 2014.
Deal highlights include:
- First international outsourcing agreement, valued at approximately USD120 million to subcontract its ATR vertical fin and rudder programs to GSE Industria Aeronautica srl in Italy
- Sole supplier contract to provide aileron assemblies to Airbus for the A330 and A330neo, making Strata the single source supplier of ailerons assemblies to Airbus for its A330 programs in a contract worth more than US$250 million.
- A multimillion US$ contract to manufacture Airbus A350-1000 Flap Support Fairings (FSFs) from Swedish company Saab Aerostructures through 2023.
Strata also announced the creation of a new Research & Development (R&D) unit to support its growing portfolio of products and capabilities to develop manufacturing technologies for current and future work packages. The R&D initiatives will be run in collaboration with Strata’s international partners and local research facilities established within leading UAE academic institutions.
Strata continues to invest in building a leading Emirati workforce in the aerospace industry. Strata currently has 19 Emirati female Team Leaders from a group of 40 team leaders and 2 Emirati females within a group of 8 Team Supervisors. The company also celebrated in 2015 the graduation of 41 UAE nationals from the eighth and ninth classes of its Aerostructures Technician Training Program.
Created in partnership with the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and Lockheed Martin in 2010, the program was established to develop the knowledge and skills of young Emirati technicians in a hands-on and engaging environment.
Further strengthening the program, The Ministry of Social Affairs and Strata signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to partner in the advancement and skill development of UAE Nationals.
Established in 2009, with production beginning in 2010, Strata has partnerships with the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, as well as tier one suppliers like Alenia Aermacchi, FACC AG, SAAB and S.A.B.C.A.
