How ARTS Group Strengthens Airbus Donauwörth with Production Support

Challenges at Project Start

The project began with extensive coordination and staffing needs. ARTS Group had to assemble a qualified team from scratch comprising 12 mechanics/ structural mechanics, 1 project manager and 1 quality manager. Each technician needed Airbus‑specific training and system access before starting. IT integration and company registration took additional preparation time. The teams also had to adapt to Airbus’ working methods and safety protocols. The development of a Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) ensured that all mechanical activities followed Airbus documentation and control processes.

Building a Qualified Team under Airbus Standards

Compliance with Airbus’ Quality Blueprint process requires every technician to be fully trained and certified. ARTS Group implements a coordinated HR structure to manage training progress and performance evaluation. Within the scope of the Production Support for Airbus Donauwörth, the ARTS Group performs the physical production tasks as an extended workbench under its own responsibility. The team does not conduct certifications. All work follows the Airbus Helicopters Quality Blueprint, with stamping limited to Level 1 and Level 2. The responsibility for Level 3 remains with Airbus Helicopters Germany.

Collaboration with Airbus Donauwörth

Close communication was the key to the project’s progress. Regular on‑site meetings and project reviews helped align activities between ARTS Group and Airbus Donauwörth. Management teams coordinated workforce schedules, training needs, and tool supply. Donauwörth and Asbach‑Bäumenheim form part of Airbus Helicopters’ main German manufacturing footprint, representing the core of its European rotorcraft production. Within this environment, ARTS Group applied aviation project management expertise to coordinate teams and workflows, ensuring smooth collaboration between both locations. Airbus supported the setup by providing access to digital training platforms, QAP guidelines, and IT infrastructure. It took almost one year for the ARTS Group to achieve Level 1 qualification at Airbus Donauwörth, which was reached in November 2025. Level 2 followed around six months later. The longer qualification phase resulted mainly from external procedural factors rather than internal readiness within the ARTS teams. 

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Mechanical and Workforce Solutions in Practice

The ARTS team provided on‑site aviation production support for Airbus Donauwörth, combining aerospace workforce solutions with certified aircraft fitters, structure mechanics, and aircraft mechanics to maintain production continuity. This involved structural fitting, component installation, and documentation of production steps. Tool management and technical reporting formed part of the daily workflow. Coordination between Donauwörth and Asbach‑Bäumenheim ensured consistency in results. Every step was documented according to Airbus’ internal process documentation and EASA requirements.

Quality Secured through Structured Training

At the start, the team does not have access to Airbus’ training portal. ARTS Group proactively coordinates with the Airbus IT department to solve this challenge. After integration, all technicians complete their required training within seven months. At ARTS Group, every team member follows a structured qualification path that combines theoretical instruction with a hands‑on tutoring phase at Airbus Donauwörth. This approach ensures that employees understand Airbus‑specific procedures and apply them confidently in daily production work. Under the guidance of experienced colleagues, they gain solid expertise in safety, documentation, and technical assembly processes. Several team members already hold their Level 1 qualification, while others are progressing through their practical phase. This continuous development enables the workforce to grow sustainably and maintain consistent quality standards across all project areas. The close collaboration with Airbus Helicopters Deutschland supports ongoing learning, process alignment, and the continuous expansion of capabilities within the Production Support environment. 

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Results for Airbus Helicopters

The cooperation enabled Airbus Donauwörth to stabilize production in the MCA Center Fuselage section. ARTS Group delivered consistent mechanical output and supported daily production goals with trained staff. Following validation via the Quality Blueprint process, all mechanical tasks achieved the planned quality level within the project’s timeframe. This allowed Airbus teams to focus resources on other areas while maintaining reliable production support.

Long-Term Impact at Airbus Donauwörth

The extended partnership focuses on continuous improvement in aviation production support and expanding aerospace workforce capacities across Airbus sites.The consistent performance of ARTS Group built trust among Airbus supervisors. New work packages are already under discussion, and extended cooperation is planned. The balanced integration of workforce management and production processes sets a foundation for future collaboration. Both sides continue to improve efficiency and knowledge exchange between the Donauwörth and Asbach‑Bäumenheim teams. This approach supports Airbus in meeting increasing production demands for its helicopter range.

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Next Steps and Outlook

ARTS Group aims to deepen its engagement with Airbus Helicopters in Donauwörth. The focus lies on expanding workforce solutions and providing technical consultancy for production optimization. Joint planning meetings are already defining the next project phases. The goal is to further reduce onboarding times and extend training structures to new Airbus production lines. By continuing this approach, both partners strengthen their capacity to respond to future production challenges.

Conclusion – Partnership that Drives Progress

The MCA Center Fuselage Support project shows what can be achieved when two partners align operational precision and workforce expertise. With structured processes and transparent collaboration, ARTS Group ensures lasting performance in Airbus Donauwörth’s demanding production environment. By supporting European aviation manufacturing excellence from Germany, ARTS Group strengthens its role within Airbus Helicopters’ network and contributes to the ongoing competitiveness of the European aerospace industry.