This press release just landed in my in-box. This makes 14 BBJ’s delivered by Greenpoint…

Greenpoint Technologies Delivers BBJ, Contracts A BBJ And Signs An LOI For A Bbj

May 21, 2008
Geneva, Switzerland
Greenpoint Technologies, Inc. (GTI) exhibits at this year’s EBACE in Geneva, celebrating its twenty (20) years, announcing a recent delivery, and new contracts.

GTI delivered a private BBJ in early May with a contemporary, timeless interior for a confidential client.
“This completion was a full VIP interior, nose to tail, and epitomized luxury and classic design,” states Sloan Benson, Executive Vice President.

GTI signed a contract for a green BBJ delivering in 2009 and signed a letter of intent (LOI) for an additional BBJ delivering in 2011.

Ms. Benson also states, “We recently delivered our fourteenth BBJ and demand for completions has never been greater. We have a significant VIP BBJ backlog and are currently negotiating several contracts for BBJs well into the future.”

For more information, please contact Christine Hadley at (425) 828-2777 ext. 7154 or by

e-mail at chadley AT greenpnt DOT com

GTI is an experienced BBJ Completion Center which provides VIP aircraft interiors for Boeing airplanes. GTI incorporates in-house capabilities of interior design, engineering, program management, and certification for aircraft interior installations and modifications. Established in 1988, GTI has a history of VIP completions for multiple heads-of-state, leading corporations, and private individuals. Driven by its nimble customer-focused culture, GTI’s strategic goals incorporate quality, commitment, and craftsmanship into every completion.

In the Wall Street Journal article Demand Soars for Firms That Fit Out Private Jets, reporters Susan Carey and J. Lynn Lunsford describe how in recent years the interest in turning big private jets into flying “palaces” has surged.

We were excited to see prominent references to the sponsor of this blog, Greenpoint Technologies and quotes from GTI’s fearless leader Jon Buccola:

“We have more work than we can handle,” says Jon Buccola, chief executive officer of outfitter Greenpoint Technologies Inc. of Kirkland, Wash. Greenpoint, which specializes in interiors on new Boeing 737 business jets, has won $100 million in new business since the start of the year and is talking to a potential client who won’t even get his or her new aircraft until 2014, he says.

Michael Goldfarb, of Worldwide Standard, and Bill Sweetman, of Ares, report on the new Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) for Congress.

The interior of the BBJ was completed by Greenpoint Technologies, the sponsor of this blog:

“The C-40C, jam-packed with 40 seats by luxury-jet specialists at Greenpoint Technologies, is the third and last of a batch ordered in 2005. They will be operated by the USAF reserve to carry Congressional delegations around the world.”

Conklin & de Decker has posted some helpful tips for navigating the NBAA convention.

One golden nugget they provide is that the last day (Thursday the 27th) is the slowest day on the convention floor. They recommend that day as an optinal time to make appointments with exhibitors.

One exhibitor you won’t want to miss is Greenpoint Technologies who will be exhibiting at booth #248. GTI will be featuring their latest B787 concepts.

Our sponsor, Greenpoint Technologies has just issued a press release announcing an impending BBJ completion for an undisclosed client:

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GREENPOINT TECHNOLOGIES SIGNS LOI FOR A BBJ COMPLETION
May 21, 2007 Kirkland, WA
Greenpoint Technologies, Inc. (GTI) signs a Letter of Intent for a BBJ aircraft completion
for multi-mission use. The aircraft is scheduled to re-deliver in late 2008 for an
undisclosed customer.

GTI is an experienced Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) Completion Center which provides
VIP aircraft interiors for Boeing airplanes. GTI incorporates in-house capabilities of
interior design, engineering, program management, and certification for aircraft interior
installations and modifications. Established in 1988, GTI has a history of VIP
completions for multiple heads-of-state, leading corporations, and private individuals.
Driven by its nimble customer-focused culture, GTI’s strategic goals incorporate quality,
commitment, and craftsmanship into every completion.

Contact: Christine Hadley
Tel: (425) 828-2777 ext. 7154
Fax: (425) 827-6105
Email: chadley@greenpnt.com
Greenpoint Technologies, Inc.
4600 Carillon Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
Tel.: (425) 828-2777
Fax: (425) 828-6105
www.greenpnt.com

The May 2007 issue of Boeing Frontiers Magazine features an article detailing how the Seattle-based Derivative Airplane Programs (DAP) division, along with Greenpoint Technologies converted an off-the-shelf 737 Boeing Business Jet into a military aircraft destined for the U.S. Air Force 932nd and 375th Airlift Wing.

The C-40C is an aircraft with unique requirements. This specific model has carried U.S. government dignitaries such as the First Lady, the Secretary of State and the Speaker of the House. Some of the modifications required were:

• Extend the BBJ’s range to more than 4,400 nautical miles (5,100 statute miles.)
• Revamp the cargo bay where suitcases would normally go to house racks of sophisticated satellite communications equipment and other hardware.
• Integrate military avionics into the flight deck and add informal meeting areas, crew seating and an office support station.

Some innovate approaches were required, and they resulted in subsequent efficiencies:

One example: the C-40C’s custom galleys, or kitchen units, which wouldn’t fit through the cabin doors. The team figured out a way to cut them in two and then reassemble them inside. On the second airplane, however, they went one better and performed all the prep work in advance, adding custom brackets and modifying floor panels before taking the two halves on board. This shaved hours off installation time.

The requirements were challenging for all three parties involved: DAP engineering, subcontractor Greenpoint Technologies Inc. (which did the interior layout)and the mod crew…In working on the second C-40C, the team again applied lessons learned. On this process, they saved a fourth of the hours expended on the first aircraft. In fact, as this article goes to press, the crew is nine days ahead of schedule on modification of the second aircraft.

For the wiring, they developed a failsafe process for tracking those sections that had (and hadn’t) been tested for electrical continuity, and another for red-lining the schematics in areas that required deviation from the original wiring plan. They also figured out a system for assuring operator signoff on sections that had been completed. All told, these critical quality-assurance procedures took three weeks on the first airplane—but a mere five days on the second.

The bottom line, a sucessful project and a happy customer:
…the DAP team sensed they’d gotten the customer-focus thing right. “You are an outstanding group of people … who understands what the customer needs,” said Col. Maryanne Miller, wing commander of the 932nd. “You have given us everything we asked for.”

The gang at Greenpoint Technologies would like to chat with other bloggers who are attending EBACE 2007. Mike Weisner, who blogs for bigbusinessjet.com will be at their booth (Stand #100.) Greenpoint will have their fancy-schmancy Cafe Acorto machine set up and will be distributing free lattes to all bloggers who drop by. Please comment here if you plan to attend the show, and they’ll make sure the beans are ground.

Just received this release (below) from our partners at Greenpoint Technologies (GTI.) Greenpoint recently completed interior modifications for a single Air Force Boeing BBJ and is set to provide two more similar completions later this year.

For more information or to inquire about services Greenpoint offers, contact Christine Hadley (chadley AT greenpnt.com.)

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Christine Hadley
Tel: (425) 828-2777 ext. 7154
Fax: (425) 827-6105
Email: chadley AT greenpnt.com

GTI is an experienced Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) Completion Center which provides VIP aircraft interiors for Boeing airplanes. GTI incorporates in-house capabilities of interior design, engineering, program management, and certification for aircraft interior installations and modifications. Established in 1988, GTI has a history of VIP completions for multiple heads-of-state, leading corporations, and private individuals. Driven by its nimble customer-focused culture, GTI’s strategic goals incorporate quality, commitment, and craftsmanship into every completion.
Greenpoint Technologies, Inc.
4600 Carillon Point
Kirkland, WA 98033
Tel.: (425) 828-2777
Fax: (425) 828-6105
www.greenpnt.com
###

In the March/April 2007 issue of Dealmaker magazine, (registration required) reporter Robert Goyer puts forth a glowing review of the Boeing family of business jets. He also outlines some of the key reasons a big business jet can provide much more than just transport to their operators.
According to the piece, the BBJ provides “the sweet spot of being big enough to offer luxurious accommodations while still affording its passengers the kind of globetrotting power that only an ultra-long-range airplane can provide.”

The flexibility of the BBJ is a key advantage:

“Want to outfit your airborne abode with bedrooms, boardrooms, open seating areas, expansive galleys and multiple bathrooms with full showers? Of course you do. You’re a player, not an animal. Well, with the BBJ3, you can. Indeed, it offers the kind of flexibility that smaller, purpose-design private jets from Gulfstream, Dassault and Bombardier are simply unable to match…the interiors of these 737-based bizjets are so luxurious, you just might forget you’re flying — so a few extra minutes in the cabin might actually be a good thing.”

(BTW, we’d be remiss if we didn’t remind our readers that interior customization is the principal service our partner Greenpoint Technologies provides to BBJ buyers.)

Also the BBJ’s extended range is essential:

“Thanks to the incorporation of as many as eight auxiliary fuel tanks, the BBJ3 also has a maximum range (with eight passengers) of 5,475 nautical miles, meaning that when fully fueled, it can fly just about anywhere in the world with a single stop.”

One of the critical benefits we hear from Greenpoint clients regarding BBJ ownership is that the plane can serve as a flying boardroom – which serves them well for working/closing deals internationally. This is echoed in the article:

“Instead, they make the jet itself the destination, using its meeting rooms as an ultra-high-end roving office complete with high-speed Internet, networked cabin systems and fine dining right there on site. Thus, if flying to Milan just to close your deal on the tarmac before turning around and flying out sounds incredibly efficient, albeit culturally unfortunate, this is the plane for you.”

Interior space specs:
Original BBJ: 807 square feet.
BBJ2: 1,004 square feet.
BBJ3: 1,120 square feet.

Some intriguing market-related information is also included:

“There is, after all, a reason why private individuals — led by those in the financial community — constitute 43 percent of BBJ customers. (Heads of state make up around 35 percent of buyers, with the rest split between corporations and charters.)”

Greenpoint Technologies is the company that sponsors this blog, and their VIP interiors business experienced a record-breaking 2006. Due to the ongoing growth in demand for their services, they’ve recruited and promoted several key industry players into top management positions.

Several weeks ago, GTI co-founder Jon Buccola was appointed to the position of Chairman where he will focus his attention, with GTI’s board of advisors and senior management, to plot the strategic planning for the company.

Scott Goodey has been appointed President of Greenpoint. Goodey has been with GTI since 2002, and has been responsible for directing and overseeing all program activities at GTI for the past four years. “Our customers respect Scott’s knowledge and statesman-like demeanor. Most of all, he knows how to get it done,” says Jon Buccola, GTI owner and CEO.

Sloan Ponomarchuk has been appointed Executive Vice President. Ponomarchuk has been with GTI since 1990, and has been Vice President of Sales and Contracts since 2005. Jon Buccola GTI owner and CEO says “Sloan brings seventeen years of aviation experience along with a strong leadership style to our company. She exemplifies the GTI Vision; Focus, Adapt, Deliver, in her dealings with our customers, and her team.”

Pete Schneider has been appointed Senior Director of Program Management. Schneider has been with GTI since 2002, and has over twenty years in many facets of the aerospace industry.

Steve Daschel has been appointed Senior Director of Engineering. Daschel has been with GTI since 2005, and has over twenty-two years of engineering and management experience in aircraft interiors, structures, and systems.

Dale Linder has been appointed Senior Director of Supply Chain Management. Linder has been with GTI since 2006, and has over twenty-two years of management experience in aircraft systems and subsystems. A key priority for Linder will be implementation of Greenpoint’s new ERP system – Dynamics AX later this spring.