Goodrich aerostructures to build nacelles for Giant Airbus

San Diego Business Journal, Dec 3, 2001

CHULA VISTA -- Goodrich Corp. will build enclosures for the engines going on Airbus' mammoth A380 passenger plane.

The award could pump $300 million into Goodrich's Aerostructures business between now and 2019.

Aerostructures, which has a major plant in Chula Vista, announced the agreement with jet engine builder Rolls-Royce plc.last week. Most of the work will be done in Texas, said a company spokeswoman.

Goodrich will build the rear and center fan case sections for Rolls-Royce's Trent 900 turbofan engine.

The A380 will seat 555 people on two levels. Airbus, which is based in France, predicts the plane will make its first flight in 2004 and that it will enter commercial service in 2006.

Goodrich expects to start delivering the engine casings in 2002. Original equipment and after market revenues are expected for the life of the program, Goodrich said in a prepared statement.

Goodrich Corp., formerly BFGoodrich, merged with Chula Vista-based Rohr, Inc. in 1997. The company is no based in Charlotte, N.C.

Outside of its Aerostructures business, Goodrich will produce landing gear, engine sensors and a variety of other components for the A380. The company said its various business units could make as much as $4 billion from the A380 by 2019.