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Dürr wins reference order from Lockheed in the USA

06/25/2009

Stuttgart, June 25, 2009 – In the expansion of its business with the aircraft industry Dürr has received a reference order in the strategically important US market. In June, the US aircraft manufacturer Lockheed ordered two wing assembly lines worth more than 10 million USD for its plant in Fort Worth (Texas). The flexible lines, based on Dürr´s FAStplant^® modular assembly system that has already proved its worth in the automobile industry, will be used for the production of the F35 multi-purpose fighter aircraft. On the FAStplant^® lines the wings are transported to the individual assembly stations. The flexibility of the FAStplant^® technology allows ergonomically optimized assembly and an efficient material flow concept for high volumes on the flow production principle. With this, it is possible to transfer Dürr concepts from the automobile industry to aircraft production.

Dr. Uwe Siewert, Head of Dürr’s Aircraft and Technology Systems business unit, commented: “With this technologically demanding reference order we can deepen the relations with Lockheed and demonstrate our competence in the lucrative US market, and thus lay the foundations for further growth in the aircraft business. The order also shows how productivity and quality potentials can be tapped through the transfer of technology from automobile production to aircraft manufacture.”

At the end of March, Dürr had already received a large order for the supply of 57 painting booths to Airbus, its biggest customer. The group is currently in concrete negotiations on other projects for the aircraft industry. The expansion of the aircraft activities is part of the “Dürr 2010” strategy program. Here, Dürr is leveraging existing technologies and core competences to widen its coverage of fast-growing business areas and to penetrate new industries.

The Dürr Group is a supplier of plant and equipment that commands leading global market positions in its areas of activity. Business with the automotive industry accounts for about 85% of its sales. Dürr also supplies innovative manufacturing and environmental technologies for the aircraft, mechanical engineering, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The Dürr Group operates in the market through two divisions. The Paint and Assembly Systems division supplies production and painting technologies, mainly for automotive body & chassis manufacturing. The equipment and systems supplied by the Measuring and Process Systems division are used, among other things, for engine and transmission production and for final vehicle assembly. Dürr is present in 45 locations in 20 countries around the world. The Group achieved sales of € 1.6 billion with approximately 6,100 employees in 2008.

Contact:

Dürr AG
Günter Dielmann/Mathias Christen
Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Phone +49 (0)711 136-1785/-1381
Fax +49 (0)711 136-1716                         
E-mail corpcom@durr.com