Airbus Americas Chief Explains Choice of Mobile
Jul 18th, 2013
This week, Airbus Americas Chairman Allan McArtor wrote an article for CNBC.com to explain his company’s choice of Mobile for the new Airbus final assembly line at Mobile Brookley Aeroplex. In the article, he stresses the importance of the relationship that he and other Airbus officials developed with members of Team Mobile, which includes representatives from the city, county, state and other organizations.
McArtor explains that the relationship began when Mobile was selected as the potential home of a major Air Force refueling tanker project. When that contract did not materialize, they worked with Team Mobile to look for another way to make a plant at Brookley a reality.
“It was indicative of the good relationship Airbus has with Mobile and Alabama,” said McArtor. “Instead of giving up, we found another way to make it work. As a result, Alabama got an even better, larger-impact project.”
McArtor also names the city’s infrastructure – our airport, seaport, and the space available at Brookely – and our workforce as key factors in their decision. But it all started with the relationships.
“I am proud of the work that Team Mobile has put in to attract Airbus and other businesses to Mobile,” said Mayor Sam Jones. “This project is certainly a game-changer for our community, and we are not done. Team Mobile continues to actively recruit suppliers for Airbus and other businesses throughout our area. Allan’s comments are confirmation that through working together, we can accomplish so much in making Mobile a better city.”
The entire article from cnbc.com is below.
Why Airbus chose Alabama for A320 assembly line
By Allan McArtor, Chairman, Airbus Americas
On July 2, 2012, Airbus, one of the largest aircraft manufacturers in the world, announced that it would build an aircraft assembly line on Brookley AeroPlex in Mobile, Ala., which will employ 1,000 people at full production. The decision to construct a plant in this country represents the most significant, game-changing event in U.S. aerospace in decades and is a positive step-change in the longstanding relationship between Airbus and U.S. industry.
I use the word "relationship" intentionally.
Our industry is built on relationships. Airplanes are not impulse buys, with their multimillion-dollar price tags. Sure, Airbus makes great, high-quality, technologically advanced products. But what is just as important to carriers is that we build longstanding, trustworthy relationships. Our airline partners know us well and therefore know that we'll be here to support them throughout the many years that they will operate the aircraft they purchase.
It's the same with our relationships with the people of Alabama. When our team first started looking for an industrial base to manufacture a refueling tanker for the U.S. Air Force, hundreds of cities stepped forward. After an exhaustive evaluation process, Mobile emerged as the obvious choice.
Sure, it met our technical requirements. But so did others. A differentiator for Alabama was the unity and supportive purpose shown by every entity in the state supporting Mobile. City, state and federal representatives (Republicans and Democrats alike) came together with one goal: Show the Airbus team that Alabama would be its partner for the long term.
They spoke with one voice, which impressed our selection committees. And when the U.S. tanker project was lost, instead of hanging their heads and walking away, they said, "What else could we do?" It was indicative of the good relationship Airbus has with Mobile and Alabama—instead of giving up, we found another way to make it work. As a result, Alabama got an even better, larger-impact project.
Infrastructure was another key factor: The site was perfect, with an airport and ocean port, and adequate land at Brookley Aeroplex. Workforce was also vital. We were encouraged by the auto industry's success in Alabama because its manufacturing aspect is a trained skill similar to that of aircraft assembly.
The endeavor to bring Airbus to Alabama is a shining example of what can happen when people work together. Relationships can be formed that help a company realize it could do business there for a very long time. In short, we knew what we needed, and Mobile and Alabama are the ones who convinced us they would stand with us.
Construction has begun in Mobile, and the facility will begin production in 2015. The state already has so much to offer our current and future employees, and as Airbus grows, and more companies and people move in to support the assembly line, those offerings will grow. I look forward to working together with the people of Alabama to build a great future for all.