Invest in France Agency north-america Office

Aldo Mucciardi, Secretary General of ATR France

The ATR adventure began in the Midi-Pyrénées in the early 1980s. At the time, it seemed far-fetched that an agricultural region could transform itself into a hub for the European aerospace industry.
Now, of course, that vision is a reality: This region is home to Europe’s leading civil aviation cluster, Aerospace Valley, and Toulouse is a geographic and virtual magnet for an outstanding network of private and public research centers.With major world players like Thales, Airbus, the Aerospace Valley, the cluster ranks just behind Seattle in the design of aerospace systems.

Why choose to set up in the Midi-Pyrénées?

Well, we find an extraordinary quality of life here, a kind of harmony between earth and sky – a real balance between France’s cultural traditions and its strategic vision and conquest of cutting-edge aerospace technology. Due to the number of international joint ventures, Toulouse and the villages surrounding the city are a real mix of European cultures. Perhaps that is why we see so many ATR and Airbus employees, for example especially the English and the Germans, choosing to settle and even retire here.
The region is also a leader in the development of new construction materials that will make aircraft lighter, more aerodynamic, more cost-effective, and more environmentally friendly. Being part of the cluster gives us a tremendous opportunity for strategic partnerships across industries. For example, ATR is working with Thales on a simpler, more secure cockpit design for the new 600 series aircraft and with other partners on further development of innovative new materials as well as for quieter, less polluting and more performing engines.

Aldo Mucciardi, Secretary General, ATR France Regional aircraft manufacturer ATR is the world leader in the 50-to-74-seat turboprop market.
In 2007 ATR posted a turnover of US$ 1.1 billion, an increase of 57% compared to 2006. ATR is an equal partnership between Alenia Aeronautica (Finmeccanica group) and EADS.