KENT, Wash., June 25 WA-Flow-Airbus
KENT, Wash., June 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Flow International
Corporation (Nasdaq: FLOW), the world's leading developer and manufacturer of
industrial waterjet machines for cutting and cleaning applications, today
announced that Airbus has awarded Flow all of its multi-million dollar
contract to manufacture and install multiple Composite Machining Center (CMC)
abrasive waterjet and routing machine tool systems. These machines will be
built and installed over the next 18 to 24 months for use in manufacturing the
new Airbus A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) aircraft.
Airbus, which already has several Flow waterjet systems in production,
awarded the entire order to Flow based on the company's long history and
demonstrated leadership developing and supporting abrasive waterjet cutting
systems for major composites programs.
Airbus will use Flow's CMC waterjet systems throughout all its plants
across Europe to cut and trim the wings, fuselage, wing spars, keel beam, and
other parts on the A350 XWB, which is Airbus' response to market demand for a
medium capacity long range wide-body family. The A350 XWB is an efficient
structure because of a design concept that uses more than 60 percent new
materials in the aircraft's airframe, all chosen for their superior weight and
strength properties. Flow's waterjets lead the industry in cutting these
state-of-the-art carbon-fiber materials.
"Waterjets have become the standard for meeting the aerospace industry's
production requirements, and Flow is uniquely positioned to serve this segment
through our deep experience and innovative technology," said Charley Brown,
president and CEO, Flow International. "We are pleased Airbus selected Flow as
the only provider of waterjet Composite Machining Centers and that our
technology was chosen over other traditional and non-traditional machining
processes for use on the A350 XWB. Engineering and manufacturing for these
products will take place in our recently announced Advanced Systems Technology
and Manufacturing Center which is an expansion of our Jeffersonville, Indiana
facility."
About Flow International
Flow International Corporation is the world's leading developer and
manufacturer of ultrahigh-pressure waterjet technology for cutting and
cleaning. Flow provides state-of-the-art ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) technology
to numerous industries including automotive, aerospace, job shop, surface
preparation, food and dozens more. For more information, visit
http://www.flowcorp.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to future
events or future financial performance that involve risks and uncertainties.
The words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," variations of such
words, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements but their
absence does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking. These
statements are only predictions and actual results could differ materially
from those anticipated in these statements based on a number of risk factors,
including those set forth in the April 30, 2007 Flow International Corporation
Form 10-K Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation,
statements regarding the timing of installation of the systems, the systems'
use in manufacturing the A350 and Flow's position serving this segment.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements that speak only as of the date of this announcement.
Contact:
Flow Investor Relations Flow Media Relations
Geoffrey Buscher Lisa Brandli
253-813-3286 425-653-1237
investors@flowcorp.com lbrandli@flowcorp.com
SOURCE Flow International Corporation
