Canada's Airbus Helicopters Composites Center maintains global production of Airbus helicopter components

Airbus Helicopters' Fort Erie Composites Shop Center of Excellence: A Pillar of Innovation

The small town of Fort Erie, Canada, is home to a significant player in the global aerospace industry – the Composites Shop Center of Excellence at Airbus Helicopters. This facility, specializing in advanced composite manufacturing techniques, plays a critical role in the production of various Airbus helicopter models.

Composites are the future of modern helicopter manufacturing, offering superior strength-to-weight ratios compared to traditional materials like metal. The Fort Erie center is a hub for developing and producing these composite parts, contributing significantly to Airbus Helicopters' ability to deliver innovative, lightweight, and more fuel-efficient rotorcraft.

The center supports multiple Airbus helicopter programs by supplying composite parts that include airframes, rotor blades, and other critical components. The use of composites reduces the overall weight of the helicopters, leading to better payload capacity, improved fuel efficiency, and longer service life. Additionally, the expertise developed at the Fort Erie facility helps Airbus maintain technological leadership in the helicopter market by advancing composite manufacturing processes and quality standards.

Krista Bauer, the leader of the composite lay-up department, oversees a team of 33 focused, detail-oriented individuals, 73% of whom are female. Bauer, a 23-year Airbus employee, has risen through the ranks from Layup Technician to Supervisor. Her management style focuses on creating a welcoming and positive environment, encouraging good attitudes and openness to questions to foster growth and learning.

The Fort Erie composites center integrates cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement and resin transfer molding, ensuring precision, repeatability, and scalability in production. This specialization enhances Airbus Helicopters' competitive advantage internationally while supporting the Canadian aerospace industry's ecosystem.

Composites manufactured in the Ontario-based facility make their way to eight different helicopter types: H125, H130, H135, H145, H155, H160, H215, and H225. The center's history dates back 40 years to when Airbus Helicopters first built a physical presence in Canada in 1984. In 2006, the facility underwent a significant expansion to support the growing market and increased demand for composite materials. Today, the Composite Department accounts for nearly half of the 138,000 square foot production site at the Fort Erie facility.

Krista Bauer attributes her professional development to the opportunities and work environment provided by Airbus. By leveraging the power of collaboration and promoting a culture where employees feel secure and motivated, she ensures that her team can thrive and develop their skills. Approximately 370 composite parts move through the process at the Fort Erie facility per month.

The composite parts manufactured at the Fort Erie facility undergo a series of processes, including the autoclave, inspection, trimming, paint department, and assembly. Krista Bauer's team takes pride in manufacturing parts that are used in helicopters that support customers worldwide. Their work is not just a job; it's a responsibility, knowing that their helicopters save lives.

In summary, the Fort Erie Composites Shop Center of Excellence is significant for its specialized production of composite helicopter parts that improve Airbus helicopters' performance, weight, and durability, serving as a key manufacturing asset in Airbus Helicopters' global supply chain. The facility's commitment to innovation, teamwork, and quality makes it a vital contributor to the aerospace industry and the global community.

Canada's Airbus Helicopters Composites Center maintains global production of Airbus helicopter components