Strata on track for supplier role

STRATA will initially produce flap track fairings, and will produce ailerons, spoilers and empennages for the world’s leading aerospace organizations by 2012. STRATA establishes Abu Dhabi’s aerospace manufacturing industry which is a core component of Mubadala’s strategy to make the Emirate a global aerospace hub.

The aerospace sector   is a key part of the emirate’s economic diversification plans which aims to create a high-tech, knowledge intensive economy, and provide career opportunities for the current and future UAE workforce. STRATA will provide opportunities for young talented UAE Nationals, ranging from technical roles to engineering and managerial roles, rising to more than 1000 employees by 2015.

  In 2008, EADS/Airbus and Mubadala signed a multi-faceted supplier agreement, this partnership has been instrumental in establishing Strata and will continue to develop as Mubadala develops capabilities to include engineering, design, and research and development.

Initial work packages to be manufactured in the STRATA facility include:

Alenia Aeronautica

STRATA will manufacture major components of the empennage for ATR Regional Aircraft. This is one of a number of products that will enable STRATA to progressively develop its capabilities in composite aero structures component manufacturing, assembly and systems integration.  Alenia Aeronautica (a Finmeccanica company) will be transferring training and know how in the industrial engineering and manufacturing field.

FACC

STRATA will deliver the first work package – the A330 / A340 Flap Track Fairings – from FACC. The transfer plan has been approved by Airbus and the First Article Inspection is scheduled to take place by end of Q3 2010 in Al Ain.

STRATA will work with its partners to become a major Tier One supplier to the global aerospace industry.

STRATA is adopting a unique approach to developing a world class workforce and providing opportunities for UAE Nationals. The recruitment of managers, engineers and technicians is underway and a supporting learning and development center is being established with support of the Air Business Academy (Airbus training academy) to ensure the continuous qualification of STRATA as a world-class manufacturer of composite aero structures.

Mubadala and STRATA are working closely with UAE schools, universities and colleges to embed science, engineering and aerospace into curriculums, enabling young UAE Nationals to gain the skills to be part of this industry.

  “STRATA is a major milestone for Abu Dhabi in its aspirations to become a leading manufacturing base for the global aerospace industry,” said Homaid Al Shemmari, Associate Director of Mubadala Aerospace. “The strength and breadth of our partnerships allow us to share knowledge, build our technical and R&D capabilities over time, and importantly, share the risk and rewards that come with creating a new industry.”

“The reward for Abu Dhabi is a new economic sector that supports our region’s growth, and creates exciting and challenging career opportunities for people in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE,” he added. 

Subsequent phases of expansion are planned to provide a total facility in excess of 60,000m² over the next decade.