Hexcel Corporation has reported 2018 revenue guidance for sales in the range of US$2.10 billion to US$2.20 billion, with commercial aerospace leading the company’s sales growth. The company also expects 2018 diluted earnings per share to be in the range of US$2.80 to US$2.94, and free cash flow to be in excess of US$230 million.
‘We expect to deliver a strong year in 2018 with record sales, earnings, and free cash flow,’ said CEO Nick Stanage. ‘We expect high-single digit sales growth in commercial aerospace, stable sales in space and defense, and double-digit sales growth in industrial.’
Commercial aerospace currently comprises 72% of company sales and growth in 2018 will be driven primarily from the A350 XWB program and the ramp-up of the new narrowbody programs (A320neo and B737 MAX), Hexcel says. The announced build rate increase for the B787 from 12 to 14 per month in early 2019 will also drive growth in the second half of 2018.
Hexcel expects sales for space and defense, which currently comprises 17% of company sales, to remain stable, with rotorcraft sales anticipated to remain at just over 50%.
Next generation
Industrial sales, which currently comprise 11% of company sales, are expected to increase to double digits, as wind energy sales in 2018 are anticipated to exceed 2016 levels as certain programs with lower composite content transition to longer blades with higher content, according to the company.
Up to 2020, Hexcel has predicted annual average sales growth in commercial aerospace of 6% to 9%, led by the ramp up of key next generation aircraft platforms, annual average sales growth in space and defense of 3% to 5% and annual average sales growth in industrial in excess of 15%.
This story is reprinted from material from Hexcel, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
