EXEL WINS AEROSPACE CONTRACT WITH EADS TO MANAGE WORLDWIDE EXPORT OF AIRBUS PARTS

Exel, the global leader in supply chain management, has won a new freight management contract with EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The EADS Group includes, amongst others, the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter, and the space company Astrium.

Exel is EADS' preferred global supplier for the export of aircraft parts and will manage exports from 30 manufacturing plants in Europe including France, Germany, Spain and the UK to airlines, helicopter operators, defence and space organisations all over the world.

On-time and safe delivery of spare parts is of paramount importance in the aerospace industry. If not managed properly, aircraft can sit on the ground waiting for a part to arrive before departing. Airlines operate around-the-clock and all suppliers dealing with spare parts must support these operations. For example, Exel runs a 24-hour, critical response lead time for delivery of high-value aircraft parts such as cockpit systems, avionics, cabin interiors and many other aircraft parts.

Bernard Pain, EADS Lead Buyer for Transport & Logistics Services, noted, "Exel is one of the few companies with an extensive global network that can, and will, support EADS when we decide to extend operations into new countries as the business demands. Thanks to this network, we can work with the Company to determine our long-term outsourcing requirements in order to strengthen EADS' competitive position and to develop its role as a systems and solutions provider in the aerospace industry."

Fred Westdijk, Exel's Senior Director for its Aerospace business, explained, "Building on a longstanding relationship between the two companies, the new contract gives us an excellent opportunity to extend our business with EADS, both in freight management and contract logistics, and within the aerospace sector worldwide. Integral to this complex and high-value sector is the flexibility within this supply chain to add value by re-configuring, adapting and developing solutions. For example, Exel has designed an IT interface which receives shipping orders and tracks and traces data back to EADS, giving them a real-time view of freight movements."

Fred Takavitz, President, Technology and Aerospace worldwide at Exel, concluded, "Many countries around the world now have a major aircraft industry, which facilitates EADS' strategy to widen its global reach in the aerospace and defence sectors and consolidate its position as a world leader in this market. There is a great opportunity for Exel to further serve EADS and extend our global relationship."