Rockwell Collins CEO sees business jet service market pickup sooner than manufacturing

On the Call: Rockwell Collins CEO Clayton M. Jones

Manufacturers of jets and jet engines have been hit hard by the recession as businesses have been slashing purchases of jets for executives. Clayton M. Jones, president, chairman and CEO of Rockwell Collins, a manufacturer of parts for private jets and commercial airlines, discussed the issue on a conference call Thursday with investor analysts.

QUESTION: Could you talk about what you expect of business jet equipment manufacturing and the aftermarket business — parts, maintenance and service.

ANSWER: “I just think we’re right in the kind of the middle of the storm. But if it follows a predictable path, first of all, I would expect the business jet aftermarket to recover a little bit faster because everything about that market happens faster. I think as people begin to use the aircraft and realize their utility in the midst of a world that’s declining — the air transport system and number of seats available — that is I think inevitable driver as people move back into that market. You’ll see an aftermarket increase. And I think you could see that pick up hopefully relatively soon.”