Boeing in $2 billion bid for Fairchild Dornier

[SFly]

Recently spotted this in BBC News:. .<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_1865000/1865040.stm" target="_blank">Boeing in $2bn Bid</a> . . </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"> Boeing is mulling a $2bn bid for small plane maker Fairchild Dornier, and expansion in aircraft services, as it struggles to replace profits lost in its core manufacturing market. . .Boeing is considering, through a Fairchild buyout, returning to the regional aircraft market it abandoned in the 1990s, the Sunday Telegraph newspaper said. . .. .While Boeing's smallest jet, the 717, has 106 seats, Fairchild aircraft range from 32 seat to 110 seat models. . .. .Boeing also aims to more than double, to $225bn, the revenue it receives from support services by 2020, The Business newspaper said. . .. .The diversifications are being planned as Boeing attempts to shrug off a downturn in the aircraft manufacturing business stemming from the 11 September terror attacks on the US. . .. .The firm also faces growing competition from European rival Airbus, which was last week chosen by former Boeing customer South African Airways to supply 41 planes. . .. .Aircraft conversions . .. .Boeing is considering a range of options for Fairchild, ranging from part to full ownership, the Sunday Telegraph said. . .. .The small aircraft maker, formed in 1996 when US-based Fairchild bought Germany's Dornier, is currently controlled by private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice. . .. .Clayton Dubilier & Rice bought its 71% stake two years ago for $1.2bn. . .. .The move into aircraft services would help Boeing exploit a market expected to be worth $3,100bn in 20 years' time, The Business said. . .. .The firm is already attempting to boost the business it receives from converting older passenger aircraft into freight planes, promoting the ability of all models to be switched. . .. .Currently only 747-200s are converted to freight use, the newspaper said.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Would this really help Boeing out of the muck?. .. .SFly. . . . <small>[ 12 March 2002, 00:45: Message edited by: SFly ]</small>