Pilatus to take over the 230 employees and machinery of RUAG Aerostructures Schweiz AG

From second quarter of 2024, Pilatus will gradually take over RUAG Aerostructures Schweiz AG’s entire workforce of around 230 employees, as well as all its machinery. The takeover stands in line with the Swiss government's strategic goals for RUAG International. In the future, Pilatus will manufacture its own components at the Emmen site. RUAG Aerostructures Schweiz AG has produced parts and components for Pilatus Aircraft Ltd since the early 90s, including fuselages for the PC-21 and horizontal stabilizers for the PC-12. The acquisition of both employees and machinery will allow Pilatus to increase its own production capacity and add new competencies.

Hansueli Loosli, Chairman of the Pilatus Board of Directors, commented: “This takeover will allow us to strengthen Central Switzerland as a business location, safeguard jobs and create new perspectives.”

Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus, said: “The new location close to Lucerne will give us better access to talent whilst also allowing us to expand our own production expertise. We are delighted about the takeover and would like to extend a warm welcome to all the employees who will be joining our ‘Pilatus Family’.”

André Wall, CEO of RUAG International, stated: “We are delighted to have found a future owner in the Pilatus family, with whom RUAG Aerostructures Switzerland has already enjoyed a successful partnership for decades.”

Focus on Pilatus and own products 

Pilatus will rent a spacious facility from RUAG Real Estate AG at the new site at Emmen airfield. Future operations will be directed exclusively to making parts and components required for aircraft production in Stans. For a limited period, Pilatus will continue to take orders from external customers previously served by RUAG Aerostructures Schweiz.

A separate agreement between RUAG Real Estate AG and Pilatus also sets out options for the acquisition of an adjacent plot of land which would offer Pilatus additional prospects for development. Against this background, the partnership with RUAG is to be reinforced and further jobs will be created in the medium to long term.