The 2022 financial year was a very successful one for Pilatus. The company benefited from high demand despite the unpredictable period. With sales of CHF 1,3 billion, operating income of CHF 226 million and orders worth CHF 1,6 billion, Pilatus achieved a very positive set of results.
Pilatus improved once again with a very successful performance in 2021. 40 PC-24s, 80 PC-12 NGXs, 10 PC-21s and 3 PC-6s were delivered in 2022. In the General Aviation Business Unit, for example , a purchase agreement for more than 20 PC-12 NGXs was signed with US company Tradewind Aviation, virtually doubling that executive airline's fleet. 2022 also brought its share of big challenges. Pilatus had to deal with supply chain disruptions, which negatively impacted production operations.
Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus, says that the past year has been very positive overall: “Rarely has the company had to operate in a geopolitically unpredictable period. Never before have we encountered such serious difficulties in the supply chain. Pilatus has achieved a lot while also benefiting from the exceptionally high demand for our unique aircraft.”
Hansueli Loosli, Chairman of the Board of Pilatus, adds: “I am very happy with the year-end results and the Pilatus team performed very well. Our PC-12 NGXs and PC-24s were, and are, absolute bestsellers, our order books are full. No new training aircraft orders were signed last year, but demand is also there in government aviation and we receive a high volume of inquiries. I am very confident that we will have an order soon!”
Continued growth in the customer service business
Aircraft deliveries for a substantial portion of business results, but the customer service business also continues to grow – around ten percent year-on-year. Last year, Pilatus also acquired Skytech Inc., the US Sales and Service Center, gaining another 93 full-time employees overnight. Skytech will continue to independently sell and service PC-24s and PC-12s along the East Coast.
Even greater employer attractiveness
Breaking with the tradition of the last 25 years, the 2.300 employees at the headquarters in Stans, Switzerland, will no longer receive bonuses. In return, Pilatus will increase monthly wages by incorporating the maximum bonus pay to better meet the expectations of all employees. This change will make Pilatus even more attractive as an employer.
2023 perspective
The new year also started with confidence and promises many highlights: the construction of the maintenance hangar in Buochs will start in mid-2023. And the delivery of the 2.000th PC-12 and the 200th PC-24 will take place during the current year. An additional building for the production of composite components is also planned at the Ennetbürgen site. Further proof that Pilatus remains firmly committed to Switzerland as a hub of ideas, work and training.
