Range of changes with top management at Airbus

Airbus has appointed Eric Schulz, 54, executive vice president, chief of sales, marketing, and contracts for commercial aircraft. He will report to CEO Tom Enders.

Schulz comes from Rolls-Royce where he served as president of civil aerospace beginning January 2016. Schulz started his career in 1986 with Aerospatiale-Sogerma and has held senior management positions at UTA, Air France, AOM, Air Liberté-British Airways, Goodrich, and EADS. He holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Geneva Engineering School and aeronautical engineering from Paris’ ESTA Engineering and Technology School.

Schulz succeeds John Leahy, 67, who has run Airbus’ commercial aircraft sales since 1994. Leahy will retire after 33 years, with more than 16,000 aircraft – 90% of all Airbus commercial aircraft – sold during his leadership. Nicknamed Mr. Airbus, Leahy joined the company in 1985 from Piper Aircraft in the U.S. He will remain with the company for a few months to aid his successor.

Enders says Leahy’s “contribution to Airbus’ commercial aircraft business is epic. His relentless efforts, his vision, and his dedication were key factors in propelling the company from an industry underdog to a world leader.”

Airbus Americas CEO

C. Jeffrey Knittel, formerly CEO of C2 Aviation Capital and president of CIT Transportation Finance, is the new chairman and CEO of Airbus Americas, headquartered in Herndon, Virginia.

Current CEO Barry Eccleston will retire at the end of February 2018, following more than 12 years at Airbus. Allan McArtor, chairman of the board for Airbus Americas since 2001, will remain with the company as chairman emeritus.

With more than 25 years of global aerospace leadership experience, Knittel, will be responsible for Airbus’ commercial aircraft business throughout the Americas and lead the helicopters and space and defense businesses in North America. Airbus Americas has more than 5,000 employees in regional corporate offices, engineering centers, training facilities, MROs and spare parts distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities that produce commercial aircraft, helicopters, and satellites.

Prior to C2 Aviation Capital, Knittel held senior leadership positions at CIT Group Inc. since 1986. Before that, he held management positions with Manufacturers Hanover Leasing Corp. and Cessna Finance Co. He holds a bachelor’s degree in aviation management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

Management succession

Airbus CEO Tom Enders, 59, will not seek another term as CEO after his term expires in April 2019. By then, he will have served 14 years at the helm of Airbus and EADS.

Fabrice Brégier, 56, Airbus chief operating officer & president Airbus Commercial Aircraft, is stepping down in February 2018 to pursue other interests after 25 years with the company. Guillaume Faury, 49, recently CEO Airbus Helicopters, succeeds Fabrice Brégier as president Airbus Commercial Aircraft.

“Guillaume represents our next generation of leaders and has demonstrated broad business and industry experience, an international mindset, and a clear focus on delivering value during his tenure at the helm of our helicopter business,” Enders says,

In 2016, Airbus had revenues of $80 billion and a workforce of 134,000.

DMG MORI USA appoints president

James V. Nudo is the new president of DMG MORI USA. Nudo has been with the company more than 14 years and has served as executive officer of DMG MORI USA and executive officer of the international legal department and international human resources department for DMG MORI Co. Ltd.

Nudo was part of the team that was responsible for implementing the DMG MORI joint venture from its inception to the present.

Hannover Messe USA expands for IMTS 2018

The Hannover Messe USA North American industrial technology trade shows, co-located at IMTS 2018, will feature 130,000ft2 of exhibition space and special display areas – a 44% increase compared to IMTS 2016. The exhibition space and three special display areas will be located on two floors of the East Building at McCormick Place, Sept. 10-15, 2018.

Hannover Messe USA’s Integrated Automation, Motion & Drives USA (IAMD USA) trade show will be located alongside the fluid power display. Co-located trade shows ComVac USA, Industrial Supply USA, and Surface Technology USA will take place alongside the event’s Digital Factory and Industrial Energy Systems displays.

Educational conferences will be featured, as will Industry 4.0 and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions. Exhibitors from China, Germany, Italy, Korea, and Taiwan will attend.

Hannover Messe USA is organized and managed by Hannover Fairs USA (HFUSA), the U.S. subsidiary of Deutsche Messe, organizer of the Hannover Messe industrial technology trade show.

Marposs appoints aerospace market development manager

Auburn Hills, Michigan-based measurement and process monitoring technologies company Marposs Corp. has appointed Francisco Flores as its aerospace market development manager.

Flores has experience as a helicopter mechanic/crew chief, maintenance manager, and instructor, having served in the U.S. Army for eight years. Prior to joining Marposs, he was a product support technical advisor for turbine engine manufacturer Williams Int’l in Walled Lake, Michigan. He holds a bachelor’s degree in professional aeronautics/airport management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as well as a dual master’s degree in business administration and information technology leadership/project management from Walsh College. He also holds an FAA Airframe and Power Plant License. www.marposs.com

Japan orders Boeing KC-46 tanker

Through the Foreign Military Sale process, the U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $279 million contract for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF’s) first KC-46 tanker and logistics support, marking the aircraft’s first international sale. The KC-46 adds to the JASDF’s current fleet of four KC-767J tankers.

Sixteen percent of the 767 airplane, on which the KC-46 tanker is based, is made with Japan. Boeing currently spends more than $5 billion annually in Japan, making the country the largest supply base for Boeing outside the United States.

The KC-46 multirole tanker is designed to refuel all allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures. It can carry passengers, cargo, and patients.

Boeing began developing the KC-46A Pegasus tanker for the U.S. Air Force in 2011 and is assembling the aircraft in Everett, Washington. www.boeing.com