Abu Dhabi’s Strata inks deal to supply Dreamliner parts

UAE aerospace company Strata has signed a deal to supply parts for the much-delayed Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the company said Monday.

The aerospace firm, which is wholly owned by Abu Dhabi wealth fund Mubadala, has been subcontracted to produce wing flaps, known as spoilers, for the Boeing aircraft.  

Negotiations for the deal were conducted through FACC, a major contractor of Boeing and Airbus, based out of Austria.

"Strata's Al Ain plant was completed in August 2010, creating an aerostructure composite manufacturing facility," a Mubadala spokesperson told Arabian Business.

 “This was a significant milestone in our progress towards a full-service offering for local and international customers."

The value of the deal, which is effective from 2012, was not disclosed.

The CEO of Strata, Ross Bradley, said in January that the company was keen to win new business from Airbus and Boeing working on next generation aircraft.

Strata delivered its first composite aerostructures, flap track fairings for Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft, in November last year.

The flap track fairings are part of an estimated $1bn worth of business that the company has won in its short history.

Strata is currently working on its second package, which will see it provide ailerons to Airbus, after which it will manufacture flap track fairings for the A380 ‘superjumbo’ aircraft.

Strata’s fourth package of work will produce empennage (the tail section) for Italia-French aircraft maker ATR.

Strata’s plan is to become the global player in the production of wings and empennage within a decade.

Parent company Mubadala generated earnings of AED5.2bn ($1.4bn) from aerospace interests last year.