Manufacturing  August 19, 2015

Woodward inks deal with Aircelle to make Airbus A330neo components

FORT COLLINS — Officials for Woodward Inc. (Nasdaq: WWD) on Wednesday announced that the company has struck a deal to supply hardware for the thrust reverser actuation system for the A330neo jetliner being developed by Airbus.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The deal is similar to one announced by Fort Collins-based Woodward in December in which the company will build the TRAS systems for the new Boeing 777X plane.

The deal announced Wednesday is with Aircelle, which is responsible for the shell, or nacelle, of the A330neo engine. The TRAS is a braking system for the plane that opens doors on the front of the engine upon landing to direct thrust forward and provide rapid deceleration.

Woodward makes the TRAS systems for multiple other planes for both Airbus and Boeing.

The twin-aisle, dual-engine Airbus A330neo will be an updated version of the current A330 that is designed to be more fuel-efficient. Rolls Royce is making the engine for the new aircraft.

Woodward director of investor relations Don Guzzardo said that the new deal wouldn’t likely affect hiring in Northern Colorado, where the company has about 1,400 employees spread among Fort Collins, Loveland and Windsor.

Woodward’s TRAS business, purchased in 2012 from GE, is based in Duarte, Calif. Guzzardo said Woodward would likely starting working on production of the A330neo TRAS system in 2016, with the plane slated to become operational in late 2017.

Woodward shares were trading at $48 by late afternoon Wednesday, down 41 cents from Tuesday’s close.

FORT COLLINS — Officials for Woodward Inc. (Nasdaq: WWD) on Wednesday announced that the company has struck a deal to supply hardware for the thrust reverser actuation system for the A330neo jetliner being developed by Airbus.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The deal is similar to one announced by Fort Collins-based Woodward in December in which the company will build the TRAS systems for the new Boeing 777X plane.

The deal announced Wednesday is with Aircelle, which is responsible for the shell, or nacelle, of the A330neo engine. The TRAS is a braking system…

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