Dassault Falcon To Establish Chinese Foreign Subsidiary

Dassault Falcon, which has major jet finishing operation in Little Rock, disclosed that it will establish a ‘wholly-owned foreign entity’ to represent the Falcon brand in China.

The Chinese market is one of the fastest growing areas for Dassault in its high-end aviation business. The expansion in China will be focused on maintenance and customer service and is not expected to impact the firm's Little Rock manufacturing operations.

“This subsidiary has been established to enhance Dassault Falcon's business structure in China.  It allows us to expand in both customer service and marketing and the number of employees we can have in country.  This move has no bearing on our manufacuring or operations in Little Rock,” said Andrew Ponzoni, spokesman for Dassault.

The Chinese subsidiary will be called ‘Dassault Falcon Business Services (Beijing) Co. Ltd’ and will be based in Beijing, China.  Mr. Jean Michel Jacob has been named general manager of the subsidiary and Mr. Jean Rosanvallon has been named chairman.

“Firmly establishing Dassault’s presence in China today positions us to serve the needs of its growing business aviation sector with the highest level of support in the years to come,” said Rosanvallon, who is also President and CEO of Dassault Falcon.  “Establishing this subsidiary is key to doing business in China and making sure Falcon customers have the best possible resources.”

Dassault Falcon sold its first new Falcon in China in 2006.  In 2010, an  international sales and marketing office was established in Beijing with another office in Shanghai opened in 2012.  Together, with another office in Hong Kong, Dassault Falcon’s presence in the country has steadily increased.

As part of the subsidiary, Dassault Falcon will establish a regional Customer Service headquarters in Beijing, China which is scheduled to start operations in early 2013. The office will be staffed by local specialists experienced in receiving and processing spare parts orders, warranty and claims.  The office will also oversee four Field Technical Representatives that are based in Greater China.  Additionally, at least two type rated Falcon pilots will be based in Beijing to provide jump-seat support to new and existing Falcon customers.

Earlier this year, Dassault revealed the number of Falcons operating in China will triple before the end of 2012.

“We sold our first new Falcon to China in 2006.  But by 2011, the market had already grown to become our largest for new aircraft orders and one of our most promising,” said Rosanvallon.

Most of the new orders are for the Falcon 7X, with a current backlog of 20 of the tri-jets scheduled to be delivered in China in the coming years.