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WIKI ANALYSIS
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Triumph Group (NYSE: TGI) makes aircraft components for the US military, Boeing, and Airbus. The company sells the majority of its products, 55.5%, to Boeing and the US military.[1][2] Triumph has received contracts to produce components for both the Boeing Dreamliner and the Airbus A380. However, the value of these contracts depends on the future production levels of the aircraft.[3] 33% of Triumph's revenue comes from government funded contracts. Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, the US defense budget has increased by 35% and the number of contracts for military aircraft and weaponry has risen.[4]
High oil prices have increased the price of jet fuel by 53% during the first 6 months of 2008.[5] The high fuel costs have pushed large airlines out of business or forced them to lower the number of flights they offer. High oil prices have also increased the demand for smaller, lighter aircraft - by 18% since 2006 - which are more fuel efficient than commercial jets.[6]
Business Overview
Triumph makes goods that are used mostly in the commerical airline industry. It builds and designs parts that are standard across the industry, but it also competes for contracts that require the production of parts that are specific to only that airplane model. TGI generally bids as a subcontractor on a fixed fee basis. This means that it provides the parts necessary to the primary contractor. This style of contracting allows Triumph to specialize in certain production techniques, instead of forcing itself to diversify in the construction of all the parts of an aircraft.[8]
The company operates through two main segments:
There are also two marketing groups, one for each segment, which are dedicated solely to increasing the sales to Boeing Company (BA), Spirit Aerosystems Holdings (SPR), Textron's Cessna, Bombardier (BBD-T), and Raytheon Company (RTN). Triumph's sales are heavily centered on the United States. This is primarily because the airline and defense industry is heavily focused in the US. Airbus is Triumph's largest foreign customer.[16]
| (in thousands except Profit Margin) | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| Revenue | $602,868 | $676,557 | $749,368 | $937,327 | $1,151,090 |
| Net Income | $18,222 | $11,428 | $34,515 | $47,071 | $67,274 |
| Profit Margin | 3.0% | 1.7% | 4.6% | 5.0% | 4.5% |
In 2008, Triumph acquired B. & R. Machine & Tools Corp and in 2006, it acquired Excel Manufacturing Inc. These two purchases have allowed Triumph to refine and machine their metal products themselves. Instead of shipping specialized pieces to another contractor to be finished, Triumph is able to do the work itself. This has cut costs substantially[18] In 2008, these acquisitions consisted of 19% of Triumph's net growth in income.[19]
Trends and Forces
Triumph's revenue is linked to the success of the Boeing 787 and Airbus' A380 In 2006, Triumph was awarded a contract with Boeing Company (BA) to produce the composite floor panels for the 787 Dreamliner. Triumph also won contracts, through Saab Aerostructures, Vought Aircraft Industries, Spirit Aerosystems Holdings (SPR), and Messier Bugati, to make the cargo door, composite ducting, hydraulic tubing, side windows, and brake assembly for the 787. These contracts have an initial value of over $49 million, but the final value depends on the success of the Dreamliner.[20] As a whole, 22.5% of Triumph's 2008 sales were to Boeing.[2] Triumph was also contracted to produce the floor panels and other parts for Airbus' A380. Like the 787 contract, the A380 contact is initially worth over $38 million, but has the possibility to grow in value depending on Airbus' production level.[3]
Triumph is dependent on US Defense spendingIn 2008, 33% of Triumph's revenue was from the defense market - mostly direct or indirect sales to the US Government.[1] For example, in 2005, Triumph won a four year contract to provide Lockheed Martin (LMT) components for a radar targeting system for the US military.[21] Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the US defense spending has risen over 35%.[4] Continued growth of the US defense budget will provide Triumph with the opportunity to win more contracts.
High oil prices hurt the airline industry Jet fuel is a key cost for airline operations. In 2008, jet fuel made up approximately 34% of an airline's costs, as opposed to 13% in 2002.[5] For airlines which offer less expensive tickets, such as Jet Blue and AirTran, fuel constitutes nearly 50% of their total costs.[22] The rise in fuel costs has been very drastic just in the first six months of 2008. At the start of 2008, jet fuel cost $850 a metric ton. In June, the cost was approximately $1300 a ton.[5] Jet fuel is extremely correlated with spot petroleum prices, which have risen significantly over the past several years. This increased financial pressure on airlines also hurts Triumph since it manufactures parts for the industry.
The decrease in major airlines gives room to small aircraftThe cutback of flights and layoffs of major Airlines like Continental Airlines (CAL), Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL), and JetBlue Airways (JBLU) has hurt large airline manufacturers such as Boeing Company (BA) and Airbus, while the demand for smaller aircrafts has increased. Because small, light airplanes are more fuel efficient and easy to maintain, businesses and high level personnel have elevated their demand for such aircraft.[23] Sales of private jets increased by 18% in 2006 and increased by 185% since 10 years ago.[6]
CompetitionBecause most of Triumph's revenue comes from contracts with the US Government, Boeing, and Airbus, it has an interesting relationship with its competitors. It must compete with many of the companies for a given contract, but it also must work with or is asked to supply the same company. For example, Triumph supplies Spirit Aerosystems with the window mountings for the new 787.[20]
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