SUBANG: Embraer S.A. is working together with its aircraft suppliers to ensure timely production and delivery as global aircraft production grapples with supply chain issues.
Embraer is expected to deliver between 65 to 70 of its commercial aircraft types in 2023.
Embraer Commercial Aviation vice president sales, Asia Pacific, Victor Vieira said the Brazilian airplane manufacturer is not immune to the supply chain challenges, but they keep communications open with their suppliers.
"Nobody is immune (to the aircraft supply chain issues). This problem is affecting the entire industry. With us, it's no different, but we have very efficient supply chain management."
"We're constantly in touch with our suppliers to make sure that they meet our expectations. And we therefore meet the expectations of our customers," Vieira told Business Times in an interview recently.
He added that Embraer's suppliers are based worldwide, including in Malaysia. The final assembly line of the Brazilian manufacturer's airplanes is in Brazil.
The aircraft manufacturing industry worldwide has been grappling with supply chain challenges, including scarcity of raw materials, staff shortages and increased prices in inventory and labour.
The challenges were exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in a number of aircraft backlogs worldwide.
Vieira said the supply chain challenges had affected Embraer's production, although today it is back on ramping up its aircraft manufacturing.
In 2022, the aircraft manufacturer's deliveries rose by 12.7 per cent compared with 2021 amidst significant supply chain constraints.
Its firm order backlog as of the end of the second quarter of 2023 (2Q23) stood at US$17.3 billion for its commercial aviation, executive jets and defence business combined.
Speaking on the Pratt & Whitney PW1900G engine that powered the E195-E2 jets, Vieira said the airplanes are less affected compared to its other narrow-body aircraft competitor.
"Although the Airbus A320, A220 and the E2 share the same engine, this (E2) is a much lighter aircraft.
"As a lighter aircraft, it requires lower thrust, and because it requires lower thrust, it's less demanding, less challenging for the engine, which impacts less the problems that we're facing," he said.
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