Here is some commentary from the United Technologies 10-Q regarding their aerospace business. This is an interesting read to help understand why EDAC's business is rapidly growing:
The aerospace businesses serve both commercial and government aerospace customers. In addition, elements of Pratt & Whitney and Hamilton Sundstrand also serve customers in the industrial markets. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs), U.S. government military and space spending, and the general economic health of airline carriers are all barometers for our aerospace businesses. The strong production levels at airframe manufacturers, as well as the continued high usage of aircraft, as evidenced by the growth in RPMs, have generated strong commercial aerospace growth. Commercial aftermarket growth of 16% was augmented by strong original equipment manufacture and helicopter growth. Excluding helicopter revenues, military volume was essentially flat. However, positive global economic conditions and government military spending are helping to drive helicopter demand and, as a result, Sikorsky’s military and commercial backlog remains very strong. As noted previously, a strike at Sikorsky’s Connecticut and Florida facilities in the first quarter of 2006 resulted in significantly lower volumes for comparative purposes. Although helicopter deliveries improved significantly following the resumption of full production, Sikorsky continues to work towards reducing the incremental manufacturing costs that were incurred to accommodate the steep ramp up required to meet production requirements for more complex helicopters and strong backlog. Additionally, Sikorsky has been contending with a concurrent effort to reconfigure manufacturing processes including the sourcing of certain activities and the transfer of work to other manufacturing facilities to increase capacity. These efforts will continue throughout 2007 with deliveries expected to be back on schedule towards the end of 2007.
Mike
