Montana Aerospace: Division Celebrates 70th Anniversary: A Legacy of European Excellence in Aerospace

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Reinach (pta010/05.12.2024/09:00) - Asco – global supplier for civil and military aircraft – has delivered critical parts for the Airbus A320 ever since the start of production and is also playing a key role in the upcoming rollout

In 1954, as the aviation industry witnessed the debut of the Boeing "Dash 80" and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules took to the skies, a modest workshop opened its doors on September 14 in Belgium. This moment marked the beginning of what would evolve into Asco Industries, a global leader in aerostructure applications based in the heart of Europe.

This year, Asco proudly celebrates its 70th anniversary, reflecting on decades of growth and achievement. From its Belgian origins, the company has expanded to the US, Canada, and Germany, becoming a prominent supplier in the aerospace sector.

Specializing in high-lift mechanisms, structural parts and complex assemblies, Asco's expertise spans titanium, high-strength steel alloys, and aluminum, where the company has extensive experience and proven capabilities.

Since 2022, Asco has been part of the Montana Aerospace Group, a global enterprise with around 7,100 employees across 31 locations.

"Integrating Asco into Montana Aerospace in 2022 has brought valuable expertise to our Group", says Kai Arndt, Co-CEO of Montana Aerospace. "It's a privilege to celebrate the 70th anniversary and anticipate further advancements together."

A 70 year success history

The transformation from a small workshop to a global leader in aerospace underscores its unwavering commitment to excellence. As part of Montana Aerospace's one-stop-shop strategy, Asco benefits from streamlined supply chains, reduced CO2 emissions, and enhanced cost efficiency. Specializing in high-lift devices and complex assemblies, the company significantly enhances aircraft performance for a diverse range of planes, including business jets, fighters, and transport aircraft. The extensive product portfolio, features high-lift mechanisms, landing gear, and structural parts, supports major industry players such as Airbus, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin, as well as key defense platforms.

Since 1998, research and development have been integral parts of Asco. The engineers and scientists at the Engineering Center work continuously on new materials, material combinations, and novel design approaches in lightweight construction to develop more efficient, higher-performing, and sustainable solutions for the aerospace industry. This work has resulted in 14 patents.

Expertise and products in every Airbus A320

In celebration of the 70-year anniversary, the company takes pride in its longstanding partnership with Airbus. To date, close to 300,000 slat tracks have been built for Airbus, playing a pivotal role in the delivery of every A320. This milestone reaffirms the company's enduring influence on the global aerospace industry.

Jérôme Morhet, CEO of Asco, states: "Asco's reputation in the aerospace industry is built on the expertise and dedication of our employees. As we mark this milestone, we remain committed to being a forward-thinking, modern company. As a valued research partner, we continually demonstrate this commitment, as evidenced by our current support for initiatives like the Airbus Wing of Tomorrow and projects aimed at achieving net-zero carbon flight by 2050."

Long-lasting partnerships

Boeing has been a trusted partner of Asco since 1988, supplying essential components such as wing ribs, slat rails, fuselage frames, struts, engine mounts, and spoiler supports for various aircraft platforms. The company has demonstrated its reliability over decades, becoming an integral part of Boeing's supply chain.

Asco's partnership with Lockheed and its partners began in 2009. With its global facilities specializing in the production of complex structural parts, Asco supports Lockheed in numerous ways, serving as a key supplier while also contributing to global sales campaigns and technological advancements. Asco delivers critical parts like bulkheads, flaperons, longerons, and engine mounts as part of this enduring collaboration.

Celebrations and a vision for aerospace excellence

The Belgium site celebrated the 70th anniversary in a two-day event for all employees and their families in Zaventem on November 29 and 30. The site in Germany used the summertime for a big celebration on June 29, the site in the US has celebrated on October 12, and the site in Canada will celebrate on December 20 to round off the anniversary year.

The aerospace industry is currently undergoing fundamental change with requirements of aircraft manufacturers constantly increasing, only the best can survive this competition. The continued teamwork between Montana Aerospace and its division Asco forms the perfect basis for this: Asco's expertise and high production quality as part of the Montana Aerospace network will continue to play a decisive role in shaping the future of the aerospace industry.

About Montana Aerospace AG

Montana Aerospace AG is a leading manufacturer of system components and complex assemblies for the aerospace industry, with worldwide engineering and manufacturing operations. The company has approximately 7,100 highly skilled employees at 31 locations on four continents – designing, developing and producing ground-breaking technologies for tomorrow's aerospace, energy and other industries made of aluminum, titanium, composite, copper and steel.

About Asco

Asco is a global leader in the design and manufacturing of structural components and (sub)assemblies for both civil and military aircraft. Headquartered in Belgium, with additional strategically located sites in Germany, the United States, and Canada, Asco employs approximately 1,100 highly skilled professionals. The company specializes in providing mission-critical parts and complex (sub)assemblies for key aircraft systems, including wings, engines, fuselages, and landing gear. The portfolio includes high-lift devices, structural components, and attachment solutions made from materials such as titanium, high-strength steel alloys, and aluminum.

The innovative products – ranging from high-lift mechanisms to main landing gear and structural parts – are essential to major commercial platforms, including those from Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Bombardier, and Gulfstream. Asco also plays a vital role in key defense projects, such as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). With its 70-year legacy of excellence, the company remains at the forefront of the aerospace industry, actively contributing to initiatives like the Airbus Wing of Tomorrow and projects aimed at achieving net-zero carbon flight by 2050.

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(Ende)