Rolls-Royce plc operates in four global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy. It is investing in technology and capability that can be exploited in each of these sectors to create a competitive range of products.
The success of these products is demonstrated by the company’s rapid and substantial gains in market share over recent years. As a result, engine deliveries have grown and the company now has a total of 54,000 gas turbines in service worldwide. The investments in product, capability and infrastructure to gain this market position create high barriers to entry.
Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 500 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces and more than 2,000 marine customers, including 50 navies. The company has energy customers in nearly 120 countries. Rolls-Royce employs around 37,000 people, of which 22,000 are in the UK. Forty per cent of its employees are based outside the UK - including 5,000 in the rest of Europe and 8,000 in North America.
Most of the engines in service will have operational lives of 25 years or more, generating an assured aftermarket demand for the provision of spare parts and services. The company’s strategy is to maximise aftermarket revenues which have increased by 60 per cent over the past five years due to the development of a comprehensive services capability.
Annual sales total nearly 6 billion pound, of which over 40 per cent currently comes from aftermarket services. The order book stands at more than 17 billion pound, which, together with aftermarket demand, provides visibility as to future activity levels.