Bell presence louder

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

By REBECCA SALLEE

For The Times

Copter maker opens larger facility, is seeking new Army contract

One of the nation's largest helicopter manufacturers recently landed a new office on Perimeter Parkway in Huntsville.

Bell Helicopter, a $1.5 billion Fort Worth, Texas, company that manufactures vehicles for both commercial and military applications, opened a larger facility in the same complex where it has been since its 1997 move to Huntsville from St. Louis with the Aviation Command.

Paul Elliott, manager of military business development at Redstone Arsenal and Fort Rucker, and an administrative assistant are the sole employees at the new 2,700-square-foot office space.

"We provide a facility and a meeting place for our out-of-town visiting executives and program managers and also an off-site location" to get together with customers, Elliott said.

A retired Army lieutenant colonel and master aviator, he is the company's local point of contact for customers, including military program management officers and those who oversee aircraft maintenance efforts at the arsenal.

Bell is vying for the contract for the Army's Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program, which will manufacture new aircraft for staff transportation, air messenger service, movement of supplies, and maintenance support, among other functions.

In fall 2005, the company was awarded the contract for the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH), Elliott said, adding that the latter is expected to be fielded worldwide in about two years.

"We are moving for a 2008 'first unit equipped,' " with first units targeted for use in Operation Iraqi Freedom, he said.

Bell's manufacturing efforts are almost equally divided between military and commercial aircraft, including those used by corporations, emergency rescue personnel, utility and law enforcement, Elliott said, noting that Huntsville Hospital's emergency helicopter is a Bell, as are most of those assessing traffic from the air.

The company hopes to more than double its revenues by 2010, he said.

Bob Fitzpatrick of Fort Worth, Bell's senior vice president for marketing and sales, and Elliott hosted a May 25 ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception at the new office.

Elliott is an industrial management graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology with a master's degree in administration from Central Michigan University. During his 23-year military career, he held a number of operation and research and development assignments, including two tours of Korea.

In his last active duty assignments, he worked at the Pentagon as director of aviation and IEW programs in the office of the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology. He later prepared Army leadership ?????for testimony before Congress and advised Army staff on congressional issues and actions.

Elliott came to Huntsville as director of operations for a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm specializing in defense aerospace business development and joined Bell in May 2005.

Bell Helicopter pioneered tilt rotor aircraft and manufactures manned and unmanned vertical lift products that currently fly in more than 120 countries. Bell is a subsidiary of Textron Inc., a $10 billion multi-industry company with 37,000 employees in 33 countries.



Bell presence louder Tuesday, June 13, 2006 By REBECCA SALLEE For The Times Copter maker opens larger facility, is seeking new Army contract One of the nation's largest helicopter manufacturers recently landed a new office on Perimeter Parkway in Huntsville. Bell Helicopter, a $1.5 billion Fort Worth, Texas, company that manufactures vehicles for both commercial and military applications, opened a larger facility in the same complex where it has been since its 1997 move to Huntsville from St. Louis with the Aviation Command. Paul Elliott, manager of military business development at Redstone Arsenal and Fort Rucker, and an administrative assistant are the sole employees at the new 2,700-square-foot office space. "We provide a facility and a meeting place for our out-of-town visiting executives and program managers and also an off-site location" to get together with customers, Elliott said. A retired Army lieutenant colonel and master aviator, he is the company's local point of contact for customers, including military program management officers and those who oversee aircraft maintenance efforts at the arsenal. Bell is vying for the contract for the Army's Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program, which will manufacture new aircraft for staff transportation, air messenger service, movement of supplies, and maintenance support, among other functions. In fall 2005, the company was awarded the contract for the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH), Elliott said, adding that the latter is expected to be fielded worldwide in about two years. "We are moving for a 2008 'first unit equipped,' " with first units targeted for use in Operation Iraqi Freedom, he said. Bell's manufacturing efforts are almost equally divided between military and commercial aircraft, including those used by corporations, emergency rescue personnel, utility and law enforcement, Elliott said, noting that Huntsville Hospital's emergency helicopter is a Bell, as are most of those assessing traffic from the air. The company hopes to more than double its revenues by 2010, he said. Bob Fitzpatrick of Fort Worth, Bell's senior vice president for marketing and sales, and Elliott hosted a May 25 ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception at the new office. Elliott is an industrial management graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology with a master's degree in administration from Central Michigan University. During his 23-year military career, he held a number of operation and research and development assignments, including two tours of Korea. In his last active duty assignments, he worked at the Pentagon as director of aviation and IEW programs in the office of the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology. He later prepared Army leadership ?????for testimony before Congress and advised Army staff on congressional issues and actions. Elliott came to Huntsville as director of operations for a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm specializing in defense aerospace business development and joined Bell in May 2005. Bell Helicopter pioneered tilt rotor aircraft and manufactures manned and unmanned vertical lift products that currently fly in more than 120 countries. Bell is a subsidiary of Textron Inc., a $10 billion multi-industry company with 37,000 employees in 33 countries. © 2006 The Huntsville Times © 2006 al.com All Rights Reserved.