Hungarian expertise key factor in Airbus opting for Gyula as location

What considerations led to the decision to build the new factory in Hungary? Which factor was the most important one of all?

The decision for Gyula is part of our site specialization strategy. We are looking for long-term industrial partners that can contribute to increasing our competitive edge on the market, and Hungary is a long-standing and reliable partner for Airbus. In this country, we can find well-trained personnel and an administration that is committed to supporting innovation and international collaboration.

There is a long-standing automobile industry in the country – Mercedes and Audi to name a few of the companies present. As a result, Hungarian people have the technical mindset to work on those high-precision components that will be the first parts they will produce for Airbus. And above all, the geographical and cultural proximity is a real added advantage to our industrial strategy.

Despite the potential advantages, we opted for a greenfield project, rather than co-locating the aeronautic cluster with the automotive industry. We had many options for the site selection. Gyula went first when considering criteria such as quality and stability of the workforce, infrastructure, and existing training capabilities to be used for the development of the Hungarian Aerospace Academy.

What components will the Airbus Helicopters plant in Gyula manufacture? Is it possible that currently not planned products will also be produced here in the future?

The Gyula plant will manufacture parts for Airbus Helicopters’ entire product range, including the types operated by the Hungarian Defence Forces. But this is not all. As Airbus Helicopters is also manufacturing doors for Airbus commercial aircraft, we will also produce parts for those doors in Gyula. Of course we will grow, modify and develop the product range over time.

Back in the spring, Hungarian news site Index.hu reported that thanks to the Airbus factory, Hungary may also participate in an EU programme focusing on developing a next-generational medium-sized multi-role helicopter. If that is the case, in what ways would the new Hungarian factory participate in the programme?

This programme first has to materialize before we can talk about the Hungarian work share, but as Airbus Helicopters is one of the proponents of such a development, it is only logical that Gyula will contribute once its operation is ramped up.

The factory in Gyula is going to have a staff of about 200 people. How many applicants and what skill set is Airbus looking for?

We will send only five expatriates from the mother sites in France or Germany. All the other employees will be hired in Hungary – and of course, we would be happy to find well-fitting people from the Békéscsaba region.

The Gyula unit will be a production plant, therefore we are mainly looking for manufacturing engineers to prepare production and operators to operate the machinery. And as we are producing aeronautical products, a focus will be on special processes and the quality of our products. Last but not least we need colleagues who are trained in the areas of material management, logistics and general administration.

A new metal industry training centre was built in Békéscsaba to provide the new Airbus Helicopters plant with an adequate supply of skilled workforce. Is it guaranteed for the trainees that after getting their certificate they will be offered a job at the plant in Gyula?

The industrial training centre in Békéscsaba, called Hungarian Aerospace Academy, will train young people for specific skills needed in the aeronautic industry. They will not train exclusively for Airbus Helicopters Hungary, but also for other aerospace companies that might settle down in the aerospace cluster. We are in close collaboration with the Academy to synchronize our need of skilled workforce with their training capacities.

Does Airbus Helicopters plan to pursue training cooperation with Hungarian schools on secondary or tertiary levels? Will you have a talent acquisition programme?

It is definitely our plan to cooperate with some Hungarian universities to offer internships and opportunities for a bachelor or master thesis. And there are some ideas to participate in dedicated research projects or European exchange programmes. We already made first contacts, but it is too early to speak about it.

If you had to highlight only one reason why it is worth working at Airbus Helicopters Hungary Kft.’s plant, what would that be?

With Airbus Helicopters Hungary we are an integral part of Airbus Helicopters’ global industrial footprint. In every helicopter you will find components produced in Gyula, therefore we will closely collaborate with many other sites of Airbus Helicopters. We are building helicopters that are made to save lives and protect people. We will be part of an international family, making these fascinating products fly.