Pilatus posts record deliveries in 2021

Despite the challenging circumstances of 2021, Pilatus has announced a new production record of 152 aircraft deliveries, sales of 1.3 billion Swiss francs, an operating result of 210 million and incoming orders worth 1.7 billion francs.

The company achieved growth in sales of 19 percent and a 35 percent higher operating result compared to the previous year. The total number of aircraft delivered was: 45 PC-24s, 88 PC-12 NGXs, 17 PC-21s and 2 PC-6s.

A follow-up order for nine PC-21s for the French air force and the introduction of the PC-7 MKX military trainer were amongst the highlights of the year.

Pilatus also had to contend with some turbulence: disruptions to supply chains and supply bottlenecks had a negative impact on production, affecting efficiency and resulting in higher costs.

CEO Markus Bucher takes a positive view of last year’s result: “Thanks to a great deal of hard work and flexibility, we achieved a very good result of which the entire crew may be justifiably proud. Demand for our products and services has rarely been so high. Meeting customer expectations despite unreliable supply chains and continuing deglobalisation will, however, ensure our work remains challenging.”

The 2100+ employees at the head office in Stans received a share in the company’s profits - equivalent to around one and a half month’s salary - as a bonus. Pilatus has also taken various measures to further enhance its attractiveness as an employer and win the most talented candidates for its future projects.

Change and reinforcement in the Board of Directors

Dominik Burkart and Annette Rinck were re-elected and newly elected onto the Board of Directors.

Dominik Burkart served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2014 to 2021 and will now represent the shareholder side on the Board of Directors.

The newly elected 57-year old Annette Rinck is currently President & CEO of Leica Microsystems. Annette Rinck has over 20 years’ experience in global industrial companies. She has worked at Honeywell for the past seven years, most recently as General Manager, Global Brands, and in the Building Management Systems Division. She has a PhD in Business Administration/Strategic Marketing.

Gratian Anda, who has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2006, did not stand for re-election. He will remain closely connected with Pilatus as a shareholder. Pilatus thanked him for his constant support and many years of service as Vice Chairman.

Lukas Gähwiler, previously a member of the Board of Directors, was elected as the new Vice Chairman.

With immediate effect, the Pilatus Board of Directors is therefore composed as follows: Hansueli Loosli (Chairman), Lukas Gähwiler (Vice Chairman), Martin P. Furrer (member), Mario Rossi (member) and the newly elected members, Dominik Burkart and Annette Rinck.

Outlook for the current year

Hansueli Loosli, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Pilatus commented: “We will see further turbulence in 2022. But we have got off to a good start and we look to the future with confidence. Pilatus has a unique product range and quite simply the best products in their respective niches. We also have a good order book, which provides us with a solid foundation. The reinforced Board of Directors, together with the entire Pilatus team, will do all we can to fly Pilatus into a promising future!”

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 14th April 2022 | Issue #649