Fort Worth, TX – March 9, 2007 - The results of Professional Pilot Magazine's annual customer support survey are in, and for the 13th time in a row Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has been awarded the number one spot as rated by customers.
Commenting on the award, Mike Blake, Executive Vice President for Programs at Bell said, “To receive this accolade for 13 years in a row from Professional Pilot Magazine and our customers is a tremendous honor. We are extremely proud of this recognition and thank our great customers for their very meaningful feedback.”
A look at the survey numbers reveals that not only was Bell ranked number one, but it widened the gap between itself and the next finisher in most areas of evaluation. According to Professional Pilot Magazine, Bell's average score across all seven categories this year was 7.66—up from its 7.59 overall average for 2006. Bell led other turbine helicopter manufacturers in all categories. No Bell scores were down from the year before in any category. The complete survey results can be found in the March issue of Professional Pilot Magazine.
Not resting on its laurels, Bell Helicopter customers can count on continued improvement in 2007. Innovative warehouse management, improved field support evaluation and an increase in spares delivery rates are just a few examples.
In 2006, Bell saw a 20 percent increase in spares delivery output. Even at that increased rate, the demand continues to outpace capacity and plans to close the gap include considerable capital investment and process improvements over the next several years.
Bell's Customer Support and Service Center is located in Fort Worth, Texas in the Alliance Corridor and includes a 228,000 square foot facility designed to provide efficient receiving, tracking and shipping of customer orders.
Bell Helicopter is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.
Textron Inc. is an $11 billion multi-industry company operating in 32 countries with approximately 40,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.