08.06.2018
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DGAP-Adhoc: Airbus, Bombardier and Investissement Québec agree C Series Partnership closing effective July 1, 2018
DGAP-Ad-hoc: Airbus SE / Key word(s): Miscellaneous
Airbus, Bombardier and Investissement Québec agree C Series Partnership
closing effective July 1, 2018
08-Jun-2018 / 07:45 CET/CEST
Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation
(EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Ad-hoc release, June 8, 2018
Airbus, Bombardier and Investissement Québec agree C Series Partnership
closing effective July 1, 2018
- Airbus to acquire majority stake in the C Series Aircraft Limited
Partnership, effective July 1, 2018
- All regulatory approvals required for the closing of the transaction have
been obtained
- Partnership head office, leadership team and primary final assembly line
located in Mirabel, Québec (representing some 2,200 employees and
subcontractors), with the support of the C Series global supply chain
- Partnership brings together two complementary product lines, with 100-150
seat market segment projected to represent 6,000 new aircraft over the next
20 years
- Addition of Airbus' global reach to create significant value for C Series'
customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders and communities
- Significant C Series production efficiencies anticipated by leveraging
Airbus' production ramp-up expertise
- Growing market for C Series to support second Final Assembly Line in
Alabama, serving U.S. customers
Having received all required regulatory approvals, Airbus SE (EPA: AIR),
Bombardier Inc. (TSX: BBD.B) and Investissement Québec (IQ) have agreed to
close the C Series transaction effective on July 1, 2018. The transaction by
which Airbus will acquire a majority stake in the C Series Aircraft Limited
Partnership (CSALP) was initially announced in October 2017. The
Mirabel-based partnership, which was originally established between
Bombardier and IQ, will benefit from Airbus' global reach, scale,
procurement organization and expertise in selling, marketing and producing
the C Series - a state-of-the-art jet aircraft family in the 100-150 seat
market.
Airbus will work with its partners Bombardier and IQ to fully unlock the C
Series' potential and create significant new value for customers, suppliers,
employees, shareholders and the communities in which the partnership
operates. The partnership's head office, primary assembly line and related
functions will be based in Mirabel, Québec.
As previously announced, Bombardier will continue with its current funding
plan of CSALP. Due to the early closing of the partnership, the terms of
this plan are updated according to the following schedule: Bombardier will
fund the cash shortfalls of CSALP, if required, during the second half of
2018, up to a maximum of US$225 million; during 2019, up to a maximum of
US$350 million; and up to a maximum aggregate amount of US$350 million over
the following two years, in consideration for non-voting participating
shares of CSALP with cumulative annual dividends of 2%. Any excess shortfall
during such periods will be shared proportionately amongst CSALP's Class A
shareholders. Airbus will consolidate CSALP effective from July 1, 2018
onwards. Further financial information on the transaction will be provided
later this year.
The C Series program continues to ramp up. Having delivered 17 aircraft in
2017, it is gearing up to double its deliveries in 2018.
With the C Series' demonstrated in-service performance and the finalization
of this partnership, the parties expect increased demand to support a second
C Series Final Assembly Line in Mobile, Alabama, dedicated to supplying
U.S.-based customers. The C Series is positioned to capture a large
percentage of the estimated 6,000 aircraft needed in this market segment
over the next 20 years.
Airbus Chief Executive Officer Tom Enders said: "This partnership extends
our commitment to Québec and to all of Canadian aerospace, and we are very
glad to welcome so many C Series teammates into the extended Team Airbus.
The strength of the entire Airbus organization will be behind the C Series.
Not only will that enable this outstanding aircraft to fulfill its market
potential, but we are convinced the addition of the C Series to our overall
aircraft product offering brings significant value to Airbus, our customers
and shareholders."
"This marks the beginning of a very exciting new chapter for the C Series
and the Canadian Aerospace industry," said Alain Bellemare, Bombardier
President and Chief Executive Officer. "The C Series is widely recognized as
the most advanced and efficient aircraft in its class and this partnership
will ensure its commercial success. Airbus' unmatched global scale, strong
customer relationships and operational expertise are necessary ingredients
for unleashing the full value of the aircraft. Together, we will create
tremendous new value and opportunities for airlines, suppliers, shareholders
and employees."
"By combining the world's most innovative and efficient aerospace technology
- designed and engineered in Québec - with Airbus' market and expertise, we
are creating a brand new dynamic in a promising segment," noted Québec's
Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister
responsible for the Digital Strategy Dominique Anglade. "Above all, we are
ensuring the growth of the C Series and securing the more than 2,000 jobs
attached to it in Mirabel. In addition to maintaining the C Series' head
office, engineering and R&D activities in Québec, this partnership positions
Montréal as Airbus' largest research and development centre outside Europe,
representing tremendous opportunities for our entire aerospace industry."
"The C Series team in Québec is proud to participate in this opportunity to
drive the success of this amazing aircraft," said Philippe Balducchi, CEO of
the C Series partnership. "Our teams have worked tirelessly to merge
cultures and bring operations together well ahead of schedule and are
confident in our ability to make this win-win partnership a thriving
commercial success. The composition of the C Series leadership team reflects
our principles of bringing together the best talent that both sides have to
offer. We are ready to turn outward and help our customers get their hands
on the hottest aircraft in its segment."
* * *
About Bombardier
With over 69,500 employees across four business segments, Bombardier is a
global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and
game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide
world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger
comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.
Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering
sites in 28 countries across the segments of Transportation, Business
Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft and Aerostructures and Engineering Services.
Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, Bombardier posted revenues of $16.2
billion US. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow
us on Twitter @Bombardier.
About Airbus
Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In
2017 it generated revenues of EUR 59 billion restated for IFRS 15 and
employed a workforce of around 129,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive
range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also
a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft,
as well as one of the world's leading space companies. In helicopters,
Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions
worldwide.
Contacts for the media
Airbus
Marcella Cortellazzi (Canada) + 34 607 604 215
[email protected]
Clay McConnell (USA) +1 571 278 0612 [email protected]
Matthieu Duvelleroy +33 6 29 43 15 64 [email protected]
Martin Agüera +49 175 227 4369 [email protected]
Sean Lee (Asia-Pacific) +65 96 54 57 61 [email protected]
Bombardier
Simon Letendre +1 514 861 2650 [email protected]
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release includes forward-looking statements, which may involve,
but are not limited to: statements with respect to our objectives, guidance,
targets, goals, priorities, market and strategies, financial position,
beliefs, prospects, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates and
intentions; general economic and business outlook, prospects and trends of
an industry; expected growth in demand for products and services; product
development, including projected design, characteristics, capacity or
performance; expected or scheduled entry-into-service of products and
services, orders, deliveries, testing, lead times, certifications and
project execution in general; competitive position; the expected impact of
the legislative and regulatory environment and legal proceedings on our
business and operations; available liquidities and ongoing review of
strategic and financial alternatives the impact and expected benefits of the
transaction with Airbus described herein, on our operations, infrastructure,
capabilities, development, growth and other opportunities, geographic reach,
scale, footprint, financial condition, access to capital and overall
strategy; and the impact of such transaction on our balance sheet and
liquidity position.
Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "shall", "can", "expect",
"estimate", "intend", "anticipate", "plan", "foresee", "believe",
"continue", "maintain" or "align", the negative of these terms, variations
of them or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements are presented for
the purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding certain key
elements of our current objectives, strategic priorities, expectations and
plans, and in obtaining a better understanding of our business and
anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such
information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
By their nature, forward-looking statements require management to make
assumptions and are subject to important known and unknown risks and
uncertainties, which may cause our actual results in future periods to
differ materially from forecast results set forth in forward-looking
statements. While management considers these assumptions to be reasonable
and appropriate based on information currently available, there is risk that
they may not be accurate. The assumptions underlying the forward-looking
statements made in this press release in relation to the transaction with
Airbus discussed herein include the following material assumptions; the
fulfillment and performance by each party of its obligations pursuant to the
transaction agreement and future commercial agreements and absence of
significant inefficiencies and other issues in connection therewith; the
realization of the anticipated benefits and synergies of the transaction in
the timeframe anticipated; our ability to continue with our current funding
plan of CSALP and to fund, if required, any cash shortfalls; adequacy of
cash planning and management and project funding; and the accuracy of our
assessment of anticipated growth drivers and sector trends. For additional
information with respect to the assumptions underlying the forward-looking
statements made in this press release, refer to the Strategic Priorities and
Guidance and forward-looking statements sections in Overview, Business
Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft, Aerostructures and Engineering Services and
Transportation in the MD&A of our financial report for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2017.
With respect to the transaction with Airbus discussed herein specifically,
certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those anticipated in the forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, the failure by either party to satisfy and perform its
obligations pursuant to the transaction agreement and future commercial
agreements and/or significant inefficiencies and other issues arising in
connection therewith; the impact of the announcement of the transaction on
our relationships with third parties, including commercial counterparties,
employees and competitors, strategic relationships, operating results and
businesses generally; the failure to realize, in the timeframe anticipated
or at all, the anticipated benefits and synergies of the transaction; our
ability to continue with our current funding plan of CSALP and to fund, if
required, the cash shortfalls; inadequacy of cash planning and management
and project funding. Certain other factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, risks associated with general
economic conditions, risks associated with our business environment (such as
risks associated with "Brexit", the financial condition of the airline
industry, business aircraft customers, and the rail industry; trade policy
(including potential changes to or the termination of the existing North
American Free Trade Agreement between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico currently
in discussion); increased competition; political instability and force
majeure events or natural disasters), operational risks (such as risks
related to developing new products and services; development of new
business; the certification and homologation of products and services;
fixed-price and fixed-term commitments and production and project execution;
pressures on cash flows and capital expenditures based on project-cycle
fluctuations and seasonality; our ability to successfully implement and
execute our strategy and transformation plan; doing business with partners;
product performance warranty and casualty claim losses; regulatory and legal
proceedings; environmental, health and safety risks; dependence on certain
customers and suppliers; human resources; reliance on information systems;
reliance on and protection of intellectual property rights; and adequacy of
insurance coverage), financing risks (such as risks related to liquidity and
access to capital markets; retirement benefit plan risk; exposure to credit
risk; substantial existing debt and interest payment requirements; certain
restrictive debt covenants and minimum cash levels; financing support
provided for the benefit of certain customers; and reliance on government
support), market risks (such as risks related to foreign currency
fluctuations; changing interest rates; decreases in residual values;
increases in commodity prices; and inflation rate fluctuations). For more
details, see the Risks and uncertainties section in Other in the MD&A of our
financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors that may affect
future growth, results and performance is not exhaustive and undue reliance
should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Other risks and
uncertainties not presently known to us or that we presently believe are not
material could also cause actual results or events to differ materially from
those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. In addition,
there can be no assurance that the anticipated strategic benefits and
operational, competitive and cost synergies of the transaction with Airbus
will be realized in their entirety, in part or at all. The forward-looking
statements set forth herein reflect management's expectations as at the date
of this report and are subject to change after such date. Unless otherwise
required by applicable securities laws, we expressly disclaim any intention,
and assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The
forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly
qualified by this cautionary statement.
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08-Jun-2018 CET/CEST The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory
Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Archive at www.dgap.de
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Language: English
Company: Airbus SE
P.O. Box 32008
2303 DA Leiden
Netherlands
Phone: 00 800 00 02 2002
Fax: +49 (0)89 607 - 26481
Internet: www.airbusgroup.com
ISIN: NL0000235190
WKN: 938914
Indices: MDAX
Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated
Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover,
Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange
End of Announcement DGAP News Service
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693653 08-Jun-2018 CET/CEST
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