CargoLifter Signs Contract with GKN-Engage
Berlin/Brand (ots)
GKN-Engage, a British aerospace engineering company, will support CargoLifter Development GmbH in the development and systems integration for the CargoLifter CL 160 transportation airship. A 15-member team from GKN-Engage and GKN Aerospace Services will review the propulsion integration of the "Flying Crane" with CargoLifter engineers and experts from the American engine supplier General Electric. The aim is to integrate the turboshaft engines and transmission into the overall propulsion system.
GKN-Engage is part of GKN Aerospace Services, a leading international supplier and provider of engineering services for aircraft and aircraft engine manufacturers. The company is experienced in all aspects of the highly specialized manufacturing and design processes in aviation. The team is now beginning work on site in Briesen-Brand. It is anticipated that the first phase of cooperation will be completed in time for the 5th Shareholder meeting scheduled for Spring 2002. "By signing a contract with GKN-Engage we have won the support of a major international supplier and developer in the aviation industry. Next to BAE SYSTEMS, whose expertise we were able to secure for the development of avionics and flight control systems, GKN-Engage is another highly respected and reputable firm," explains Ralph Maurer, Development Director at CargoLifter Development GmbH. "We take this as a sign that CargoLifter is now considered a global player within the aviation industry."
CargoLifter AG, based in Berlin, is developing a 260-meter-long and 65-meter-wide airship for the transport of oversized and heavy goods weighing up to 160 metric tons - the CargoLifter CL 160. This "flying crane" will be able to carry out expensive heavy transports faster, more simply and more cost efficiently - without ever touching the ground and almost entirely independent from the local infrastructure. To develop to the airship in a market-oriented way, CargoLifter is already today cooperating with various industrial companies within the framework of its Lead-User concept. Since May 2000, the company's shares have been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange(WKN 540 261, symbol: CLA). Since December 2000 it has been in the MDAX index.
Currently, the CargoLifter company employs 435 people, 235 of which are working on airship development at the dock in Briesen-Brand, near Berlin in the state of Brandenburg. At the moment, Brand is the company's pivotal location. At the end of 2000 the production hangar for the CL 160 was completed. 107 meters high, 210 meters wide and 360 meters long, it is the world's largest free-standing hangar. CargoLifter has built the CargoLifter World theme park, allowing the interested public to follow the company's development. It has been immensely popular since its opening in June 2000.
GKN-Engage is a GKN Aerospace Services company. GKN Aerospace Services is the aerospace operation of GKN plc and is a global independent first tier supplier of structures, components, assemblies and engineering services to aircraft and aero engine manufacturers. It possesses expertise in all specialist aerospace manufacturing and design processes in addition to supply chain and logistics capabilities. It has seven centres of manufacturing excellence in Europe and the USA. GKN-Engage employs almost 2,000 aerospace engineers. Approximately 5,000 people are employed by GKN Aerospace Services world-wide.
ots Original Text Service: CargoLifter AG Internet: www.newsaktuell.ch
Contact:
Silke Rösser
CargoLifter AG
Potsdamer Platz 10
D-10785 Berlin
Phone +49 30 7261039 2124
Fax +49 35477 6500 2124
E-mail: silke.roesser@cargolifter.com
Marion Jüstel
Publicis Public Relations
Chausseestrasse 8
D-10115 Berlin
Phone +49 30 820 82 509
Fax +49 30 820 82 111
E-mail: marion.juestel@publicis-berlin.de