News
Bombardier replaces VP of sales for commercial aircraft
Dec. 4, 2013, Montreal - Bombardier says the hiring of a new chief salesman for commercial aircraft is not a recognition of problems with orders for its new CSeries airplane.
December 4, 2013 By The Canadian Press
The Montreal-based manufacturer says Chet Fuller is leaving at
year-end to pursue other unspecified career opportunities, three years
after joining the aircraft manufacturer from GE Aviation.
Fuller is being replaced by Raymond Jones, who for the last
decade has been vice-president, Worldwide Strategic Accounts, for
Bombardier's business aircraft.
Spokesman Marc Duchesne said
Bombardier is "satisfied" with the 419 orders and commitments from 16
customers for the new 110- to 160-seat airplane, including 177 firm
orders. The company hopes to have 300 firm orders from more than 20
customers when first deliveries start in about a year.
At the time he was hired in November 2010,
Bombardier said Fuller would bring a "fresh perspective" as head of the
sales and marketing teams tasked with selling the new CSeries airplane.
He initially reported to Gary Scott, who retired in 2011.
Bombardier said Jones brings "solid experience and insight" to his new role.
"With a proven record of success
at Bombardier Business Aircraft, notably with large fleet operators, Ray
also has a truly international background," said Mike Arcamone,
president, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.
"I am confident he will bring a global
perspective to his new role and will lead the commercial aircraft sales
and marketing team to open new markets around the world."
A certified commercial pilot, Jones spent 16 years with Britain's Royal Air Force.
The lack of many new orders for
the CSeries of late has prompted industry observers to question the
CSeries sales effort. But Bombardier Aerospace CEO Guy Hachey told an
aerospace conference that Bombardier is pursuing the right balance not
to give overly generous early discounts because its production slots are
almost filled for three years.
Bombardier has said it may get around severe
winter weather in Quebec by conducting some flight tests of its new
CSeries commercial aircraft in the United States, at the same location
where its new Learjet 85 business jet is set for its maiden flight in
the coming weeks.
Seven Bombardier CSeries planes are in various
stages of assembly, including the first aircraft set for delivery, which
will have its wings joined to the fuselage in January.
