Rolls relaxed about Airbus impact

The boss of Rolls-Royce today said the company’s earnings outlook would not be hurt by its recent suspension in production of engines for the Airbus A380.

The company’s civil aerospace deliveries comprise only about 20% of its turnover, chief executive John Rose said during a visit to Malaysia.

“We make deliveries to Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Gulfstream, Embraer, Cessna and a whole range of other companies. This represents a relatively small proportion of our turnover,” he said.

Speaking in general about orders from airlines and other companies, Rose said the company’s deliveries for the next two years are “completely unaffected by the orders in the shorter term.”

Rolls-Royce said last month it was suspending production of the Trent 900 engine for A380 because of delays in the superjumbo project.

Mr Rose was in Malaysia for the launch of a production plant of Metalysis, a Rolls-backed company.

The plant aims to produce annually an average of 100 tons of tantalum powder, a super-grade chemical used in the manufacture of mobile phones, personal computers, motor vehicles and electronics goods.