This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Airbus (EADSY) is confronting a supply-chain story that investors may want to monitor closely. A Spanish labor union, UGT FICA, accused key supplier Sofitec Aero SL of wider manufacturing irregularities tied to the A320 program, according to a Dec. 5 memo reviewed by Bloomberg. Workers alleged that Sofitec forged dates on several production steps so parts would meet Airbus specifications, and they cited 10 deviations at Seville facilities, including the use of expired paints and sealants and unauthorized repairs on carbon-fiber components. Airbus said it maintains open dialogue with supply partners and acted as soon as its internal quality system identified an issue, while Sofitec did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
The timing could be sensitive for Airbus, given that Sofitec-related panel issues already forced the planemaker to reduce its 2025 delivery target due to the added volume of inspections. Airbus reported that some panels on the frontal part of the A320 were either too thick or too thin and require further checks, affecting more than 600 aircraft, including jets already in service. The company expects most inspected parts to meet manufacturing standards, though the extra workload could be a headwind for production cadence and could influence how investors think about delivery visibility and working-capital timing into next year.
The union also pointed to ongoing health-and-safety concerns at Sofitec, citing a government inspection report dated December 2024 that highlighted excessive room temperatures and improper handling of carcinogenic agents. Bloomberg was unable to independently verify the inspection’s conclusions, though the union said numerous formal complaints have been filed and several legal proceedings are in motion. For long-term shareholders, the episode could be a reminder that execution risk inside the supply chain remains a material variable for Airbus as the industry leans into travel demand, fleet modernization, and elevated production targets.