Airbus Americas to grow business with S. California manufacturers

Airbus Americas Chairman Allan McArtor announced an effort to forge new partnerships with Southern California manufacturers, with the goal of creating new contracts and new job opportunities for businesses in the region. The announcement was made to an audience of more than 100 local manufacturers attending an educational summit at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, focused on attracting new supplier companies for Airbus. Backed by a strong global backlog of more than 4,400 aircraft and growing future demand, Airbus plans to double its annual $12bn spending with U.S. manufacturers in the coming years. Airbus spends more than $1bn in Southern California each year, with more than 100 supplier companies. Every year, Airbus spends more than 40% of its procurement dollars with U.S.-based suppliers. In 2011 alone, Airbus spent more than $12bn on parts, components, tooling and services from more than 400 suppliers in more than 40 states. According to the U.S. Commerce Department formula, that spending equates to the support of some 210,000 American jobs.