·Expeditors to improve tracking, distribution capabilities
·Super warehouses in Chicago and Frankfurt on schedule
·Bombardier increases spare parts fill rate to 92 per cent across all product families
Bombardier Aerospace today announced that it has teamed with Expeditors International of Washington Inc., and is establishing super warehouses with Caterpillar Logistic Services as part of a sustained program to improve its parts availability, tracking and shipping operations.
A global leader in air consolidation and forwarding, Expeditors will deliver the majority of high-priority aircraft-on-ground (AOG) components to Bombardier Learjet, Challenger and Global business jet operators internationally within 12 hours of receiving their request. Bombardier Aerospace has already started working with Expeditors to ship components worldwide for its fleet of regional airline operators, and will now begin shipping to corporate jet operators as well.
Based in Seattle with some 50 offices worldwide, Expeditors provides customer-specific airfreight programs and guarantees door-to-door service. By using Expeditors for high priority shipments, Bombardier will be able to provide customers a single tracking and tracing capability through its exp.o® web site. Customers will receive a tracking number provided at the time they order.
Bombardier selected Caterpillar Logistics Services in early 2004 to establish two super warehouses strategically located in Chicago and Frankfurt, each sited to support the 12-hour order-to-delivery goal for North America and Europe. Construction of these state-of-the-art facilities is on schedule, with Chicago commencing operation in the second quarter of 2005 and Frankfurt in the third quarter of 2005.
Bombardier has also improved forecasting and adjusted its inventory to where its off-the-shelf fill rate is currently 92 per cent, up from 84 per cent in early 2004. Also, AOG orders are now routinely ready for shipping within one hour of receiving a customer order.
“We review issues and performance regularly with our customers and they clearly indicated that our spare parts situation required significant improvement,” observed Peter Edwards, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft.
“We examined all the key elements, created a multi-pronged plan and gave it our highest priority,” he added. “We began implementing in early 2004 – and the result is we are now making significant improvements in parts support. We are on the right track.”
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from regional aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2004, were $15.5 billion US and its shares are traded on the Toronto, Brussels and Frankfurt stock exchanges (BBD, BOM and BBDd.F). News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.
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For information
Leo Knaapen
Manager, Media Relations
Cell: 514-918-9352
Leo.Knaapen@aero.bombardier.com
www.bombardier.com
For more information on Bombardier Aerospace at NBAA 2004, please visit www.aeroshow.com