“In response to the requirements of medical rescue missions in the Yangtze River Delta region, the H135 helicopter, equipped with Bucher’s AC67 flex HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) gear, was chosen to conduct HEMS operations. This is not only intended to cover the rescue sector but also address the needs of VIP customers. Consequently, in April of this year, we selected and procured Bucher’s rapidly deployable medical configuration equipment, namely the AC67 flex. This groundbreaking decision marks the first-ever application of a 20-minute quick change between VIP and medical configurations in China, significantly expanding the versatile applications of helicopters in the country,” stated CARE.

The partnership between Bucher and CARE extends beyond equipment provision to encompass various training initiatives. Since the beginning of their collaboration this year, Bucher has conducted high-quality theoretical and practical training for domestic medical personnel, adhering to international standards and regulations. This innovative training model has already garnered high recognition and support from globally renowned HEMS experts.

Together, Bucher and CARE aim to chart a pioneering path in air rescue in China. Their partnership transcends conventional boundaries, striving not only to provide state-of-the-art equipment but also to set new standards in the country through comprehensive training programs and operational initiatives.

Bucher has made significant strides this year in introducing its latest flexible equipment options, including the AC67 flex for the H135 and the AC70 flex tailored for H145 helicopters. These adaptable solutions have attracted global attention, particularly due to their innovative Quick Release system.

Building upon the principles of the AC67 flex, the AC70 flex stands out for its remarkable flexibility, facilitating seamless transitions between emergency services, VIP transport, police operations, cargo transport, firefighting, or military applications. This versatility has not only piqued the interest of rescue companies but has also appealed to private helicopter operators seeking to maximize operational efficiency through frequent configuration changes.

Bucher is focused on expanding its presence in these promising markets by collaborating with rescue companies and private operators. The integration of these flexible products is further facilitated by close collaboration with helicopter and air rescue experts in these regions. This cooperative approach ensures optimal customer support, streamlined communication channels, and accelerates the introduction of products and services.

Customers opting for this flexible equipment benefit from expert support and advice regarding applications, as well as potential upgrades or configurations. Bucher’s AC70 flex equipment has also generated significant demand for police and military operations, given the adaptability and versatility of the equipment in these sectors.

For further information about the Bucher Group, please visit: https://bucher-group.com or contact us at: bucher@bucher-group.com.

Now in its third generation, the company is led by CEO Beat Burlet, with nearly 170 employees in Fällanden alone. Heinrich Bucher’s original idea, “Flying with minimum weight and maximum of reliability,” is still implemented across the company’s now diverse product range with its unique lightweight construction methods using aluminum or composites. The company’s success over the last 70 years impressively highlights the country’s own internationally renowned commitment to innovation.

The Original Trailblazer: Heinrich Bucher’s Start as a Maintenance Expert
In 1953, Heinrich Bucher laid the foundation for a remarkable career that would have a lasting impact on the aviation sector. As a pioneer, he ventured into the world of aircraft maintenance, specializing in the repair and maintenance of galleys for the then renowned Swissair. His career started off in a modest environment – an old garage located in the idyllic community of Fällanden right outside of Zurich. The founder’s wife, Ida Bucher, was the first employee and a cornerstone to the company’s success. After years of working in aircraft construction, Heinrich had acquired a wealth of of experience when he founded the company in 1953. In his role as a master tinsmith at Swissair, he was responsible for the structural components on the aircraft. Consequently, one of Bucher Leichtbau’s main client early on was Swissair.

Decades of working with lightweight metals in aircraft construction ultimately led Heinrich Bucher to a decisive breakthrough in the 1970s. Departing from traditional balsa wood sandwich constructions, aluminum took center stage. With creative finesse, he designed galleys whose essential structure consisted of a clever combination of aluminum sheets and frame profiles. His journey would go even further – Heinrich Bucher set standards by designing doors as technological masterpieces. These were made of lightweight yet resilient metal milled directly from blocks. He followed a similar approach with a variety of latches and fittings, and over the years, many more innovations and new products would complement the Bucher product range.

Heinrich Bucher legacy would grow out of these unique contributions and developments in the aviation industry. His deep familiarity with the properties of lightweight metals and his innovative thinking not only earned him a place as a pioneer but also contributed to the development of innovative solutions in the aviation field.

Expansion in Fällanden
The expansion in Fällanden occurred in various stages to accommodate continuous growth and modernize its production facility with the latest milling machinery, used to created such products as the unique milled trolley doors.

In 1992, after the founder’s passing, the company transitioned its leadership to Heinrich’s three children, who then transformed Bucher Leichtbau to a joint stock company. The once simple design department then evolved into a modern engineering department that pushed the development and certifications of the Bucher aluminum galley system even further. At that time, in addition to Swissair, various major airlines such as Scandinavian Airlines, Lufthansa, and Austrian Airlines were already among the company’s closest customers. Additionally, the company expanded into the USA (Everett, WA.) where, with its close proximity to Boeing, it was able establish a solid foothold in the American market.

Swiss pioneering spirit and global presence.
The success story of Bucher Leichtbau reflects the unmistakable Swiss pioneering spirit. With perseverance, innovation, and a passion for excellence, the company leveraged its roots in Zurich Oberland to make a name for itself worldwide. For the past 20 years, the owner and president, Margrit Burlet-Bucher, has embodied these values. She believes in sustainable corporate management, not only for quality reasons but also to support the local economy by committing to its Swiss production site.

Today, the Bucher Group is structured into three companies, each specializing in their respective components and their own construction specialties and processes. Each individual company complements the others, with an ongoing exchange of know-how and experience.

Outlook and Gratitude
While Bucher Leichtbau AG proudly looks back on 70 years of success, its sights are firmly fixed on the future. The company is excited to continue i its innovation and to provide ground-breaking solutions for aviation, cabin equipment, rail transport, and helicopter rescue equipment in the coming years. In this moment of celebration, Bucher Leichtbau expresses its sincere gratitude to its employees, partners, and customers, all of whom have contributed to making this remarkable journey possible.

On the occasion of this milestone, Bucher is presenting a range of new products and advancements for aircraft cabins at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg.

One highlight is the compact and portable SkyBassinet. Thanks to its patented folding mechanism, the new baby bed can be folded to the size of a small handbag, resulting in a space-saving of over 50%. This offers more flexibility in the use of storage space for cabin crew while providing maximum sleeping comfort for the baby.

Furthermore, a sliding class divider is being introduced for the first time, which serves to differentiate the flight classes within the aircraft cabin. Another innovative product is our enhanced Doghouse, a flexible and customizable storage solution for the cabin and crew, optimizing space utilization and increasing efficiency. Additionally, Bucher offers branding elements that allow airlines to showcase their logos, colors, and advertising messages throughout the cabin, optimizing the overall aesthetics of the aircraft and enhancing passenger interaction.

Apart from that, Bucher is showcasing a custom Galley directly from our production line. With a variety of sophisticated features and details, this Galley demonstrates Bucher’s commitment to high-quality craftsmanship and materials. The back wall of the Galley has been enhanced with an ultra-slim AerQ OLED monitor for the exhibition, allowing airlines to individually present their branding and product advertisements during the flight.

Visitors to our booth will have the opportunity to admire both the half-size and full-size ARCTICartTM – a service trolley with highly efficient thermal insulation for inflight operations. Our trolleys comply with ATLAS standards both inside and outside and received FAA TSO certification in 2022. ARCTICartTM can maintain temperature increase below 4°C for over 20 hours without the need for expensive dry ice. The ARCTICartTM Ice-Packs provide additional safety by extending the duration for safe temperature maintenance.

With these and many other innovations, we aim to improve the passenger experience, support cabin crew, and reduce CO2 emissions in aircraft operations.

All products, solutions, and inventions by Bucher are based on the principle of sustainability. Bucher focuses on the development and production of lightweight and more reliable products, which, due to their solid structure, have a long service life and allow for easy replacement of parts. This enables airlines to minimize their ecological footprint and extend the lifespan of their cabin equipment.

Bucher’s 70th anniversary is a clear testament to our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and quality. As a family-owned company with a long history of success in the aviation industry, we are well-positioned to continue offering innovative solutions for aircraft cabins worldwide.

You can find us at booth 5D60 in Hall B5 at the Aircraft Interiors Expo.

For more information about the Bucher Group, please visit:
https://bucher-group.com 

or contact us at:
bucher@bucher-group.com.

This new contract will give Bucher the exciting opportunity to play a key development and manufacturing role in Deutsche Aircraft’s new eco-efficient airplane. With the D328ecoTM, a new 40-seat turboprop regional aircraft, the OEM will accelerate the aviation industry towards new lower emissions with its new engines, which will be certified for synthetic fuel.

Bucher’s time-to-market capabilities, supply chain resilience, sustainability across the life-cycle of the product and commercial competitiveness were important key factors in being awarded this contract. The investments in innovations over the past years and the recognition of market requirements as well as the demand for sustainable solutions underscore  Bucher’s  trustworthiness, effective and lean communication channels as well as its agile structure.

Commenting on the new contract, Beat Burlet, Chief Executive Officer of Bucher, said:
“With our range of proven, innovative and sustainable products for the aircraft cabin, we believe that Bucher is a natural fit for Deutsche Aircraft. We are honored to sign this contract for a longstanding supplier partnership with Deutsche Aircraft and look forward to enhancing the passenger and crew experience with our range of interior products.”

Nico Neumann, COO of Deutsche Aircraft said:
 “Since the beginning of discussions Bucher has shown a clear understanding of our requirements. Their decades-long know-how regarding cabin interior monuments and lightweight construction, whilst being open-minded regarding innovation and the high finishing quality on the product makes them the perfect partner for the galley and partitions for the D328eco. The D328eco will change the way we fly and help reduce our carbon footprint.”

Bucher’s long-established philosophy to build lighter and more reliable products helps airlines and operators to reduce their CO2 emissions. Thanks to the bionic construction, weight saving of more than 30% has been achieved by using less material on Bucher’s Partitions. Furthermore all of Bucher’s products are designed for a life span of over 20 years and require very few spare parts.

Also the aspect of recyclability at a product’s end-of-life must be taken into account. Bucher Galleys are made of over 65% aluminum. After a useful life span of over 20 years these aluminum components can be recycled through a remelting process that only consumes 5% of the initial energy used to produce the primary aluminum. 75% of the total aluminum ever produced worldwide is still in use. Recycling 1 ton of aluminum saves 6 tons of bauxite and 9 tons of CO2 emissions. Globally, recycling aluminum saves more than 100 million tons of CO2 each year. Bucher will continue build lightweight and reliable products and increase the use of recyclable and recycled materials.

For more information about Bucher Group, please contact us at: bucher@bucher-group.com.

Bucher is proud to introduce its latest addition to flexible helicopter rescue equipment, following the same principle as the AC67 flex for the H135. This flexibility is enabled by a ‘Quick Release’ system, allowing for rapid conversion between EMS, VIP, police, cargo, firefighting, or military configurations.

With these new flexible equipment options, Bucher aims to provide innovative solutions not only for air rescue companies but also for helicopter operators who need to switch configurations multiple times a day to maximize their helicopter’s operational hours.

To enhance product awareness and integration with customers, Bucher collaborates closely with seasoned experts in the helicopter and air rescue fields. This collaboration ensures proximity to customers and short communication channels to expedite product launches and service times. When a customer chooses our flexible equipment, our experts are readily available for immediate consultation on product deployment and expansion possibilities.

The idea of developing a product line with flexible equipment came to Bucher’s attention when they realized that in many countries, air rescue service operators are not government, foundation, or association-led but are instead operated by private helicopter companies whose primary interest is to keep the helicopter in operation as long as possible. To achieve this, they need the capability to perform various types of missions multiple times within a 24-hour timeframe.

The flexible equipment AC67 flex and AC70 flex are not only self-contained and highly expandable but also incorporate various components from the classic Bucher rescue equipment AC70 for H145 and AC67 for H135. Just as in the past, Bucher worked closely with various helicopter operators in developing this product line. The proven ergonomic and functional design of Bucher products results from smart engineering and collaboration with many long-time users. Depending on the mission profile, customers can choose from different mission configurations for various scenarios.

Bucher’s primary goal is to offer customers maximum flexibility and modularity. The company is committed to developing high-quality products to deliver optimal performance for multi-mission and rescue operations. This commitment can be traced back to the company’s founder, Heinrich Bucher, who was driven by the idea of creating lightweight and reliable aluminum products. This unique lightweight principle has been refined and optimized by Bucher over the years. Today, Bucher has expanded its product offering to include composite and carbon fiber materials, allowing the company to efficiently customize its products to individual customer needs in various sectors, such as helicopters, aircraft, and trains.

For more information about the Bucher Group, please visit: https://bucher-group.com or contact us at: bucher@bucher-group.com.

For inquiries or appointment scheduling, please contact our expert.

Only those who try the impossible can achieve the possible.  And only those who question the conventional can achieve the extraordinary. At Bucher we are constantly innovating on more and more user-friendly and sustainable solutions that maximize the flight experience for passengers, that make working in the air easier for crew members and which are sustainable for the environment.

We would be excited to show you our latest innovations at the AIX 2022 in Hamburg.

We will be presenting our 16g “Bionic” Partition Wall with our brand new, ultralight Baby Bassinet. Our Innovation Galley with integrated inventory and power management systems, an integrated induction charging station for beverage carts elaborated in cooperation with our partner SkyTender. Together with the latest half- and full-size versions of Bucher’s ARCTICartTM, the first ever in-flight service cart with high-performing insulation, we have developed a seamless and more efficient catering experience. And to meet hygiene standards during flight, we have also developed an Antiviral Galley kit, which should be an integral part of any new Galley. You will experience all this and much more at our booth. Let our innovations inspire you!

As in previous years before, we will continue to showcase our proven ATS Stretcher for patient transportation and specially for 2022, we will present additions like an Oxygen Medical System kit in collaboration with our partner Aircraft Completion Engineering and an incubator support, which is designed specifically for our ATS Stretcher. Along with the well-known reliable and in-flight proven tray table solutions and high-end supports for tablets in the cabin, Bucher will be displaying for the first time its table “Olympia”, a premium class swing-up food tray table.

All our products, solutions and inventions are based on a guiding principle of “Sustainable Solutions”. Drawing from Bucher’s long-standing philosophy of flying with minimum weight and maximum reliability, we continue to develop and produce environmentally sustainable products that help airlines reduce their carbon emissions and waste during operations, as well allow for recycling at the end of the product life cycle.

You can find us from June 14 to 16 at booth 5D60 in hall B5.

We will be proudly presenting our newest multi-mission helicopter equipment – for the first time in the international market and exclusively in the United States.

Is your helicopter not working at full capacity? Do you want to carry out Search & Rescue, Military or Fire Brigade missions in the morning and VIP transports in the afternoon? Everything is possible with our newest innovation – the H135 AC67 flex.

Our presentation will give visitors fascinating first-hand information of the highly modular and customizable equipment that offers maximum flexibility for every operation. Depending on individual mission profiles, clients can choose between several mission configurations according to their needs and requirements.

Modular HEMS Stretcher System
We have further expanded our Stretcher system and can now offer our customers a completely modular solution on different configurations regardless of which loading device the customer uses. It can be installed in our AC70 HEMS equipment for the H145 or in the AC67 for the H135 as well as in the new AC67 flex equipment.

Modular Equipment Options
Learn more about Bucher’s modular equipment options! Our products have been designed to be used interchangeably and, as such, it is possible to use various elements of the AC67 HEMS equipment in a H145 or elements of the AC70 in a H135. One example is the multifunctional Center Cabinet with optional cabin heating and/or hot compartment for infusion bottles, storage compartments and a wide range of standard interface mounts for medical devices, which is included in the new HEMS kit AC67.

This interchangeability allows you to configure the equipment for any application with maximum flexibility, modular and individually adapted to the customer. Accordingly the weight of the helicopter can be reduced depending on the application.

Our 1:8 scale model, offers visitors the opportunity to get to know our modular equipment first hand. Visitors can take a closer look at a H145 equipped with the Bucher AC70 HEMS equipment and at a H135 equipped with the Bucher AC67 equipment during our digital presentations.

If you want to expand your business, visit us at our booth Hall B, Booth #2531 and experience outstanding Swiss hospitality as well as our proven lightweight and ergonomic design – you will not want to miss this!

We look forward to meeting you at HAI Heli Expo!

For Bucher, these are not just words but values that we live out in our daily work for our customers.

We are pleased to present our retrofit solutions at the MRO EUROPE 2019 in London. We will be showcasing our comprehensive consulting services, individual customization, fast onsite support and first-rate customer service team.

We offer a wide range of services to upgrade your Aircraft: insert changes, LED lighting solutions, branding elements, and laminate changes to name a few. Thanks to our modular concept we are also able to adapt our products according to your needs and requirements, quickly and efficiently. And the best part: We guarantee “linefit quality” for all retrofit solutions.

Visit us at booth No. 626, we look forward to meeting with you.

If you are looking for innovative and highly modular equipment for your rescue operations, visit us at booth C230! We will be happy to show you all of our exciting and innovative products and solutions. Side/ Rear Load Stretcher An absolute novelty is our new, modular Side/ Rear Load Stretcher. It was designed in close collaboration with our customer’s rescue team to more effectively meet the requirements of rescue operations. Modular equipment options Learn more about Bucher’s modular equipment options. Many different configurations are STC certified and offer a variety of installation options for operators. Also, our products are designed to be exchangeable between different helicopter platforms. In additionwith, we will be holding live demonstrations of our 1:8 scale model at our booth to offer visitors the opportunity to see our modular equipment first hand. You can also take a closer look at various certified configurations of our HEMS kits or discuss with our team new configurations that meet your specific needs.

Once again this year Bucher was part of this impressive exhibition. In addition to the live demonstrations at our booth, visitors to the Airbus Helicopters booth had been able to have a look at a H145 equipped with Bucher‘s AC70-HEMS equipment. Furthermore Airbus presented the H160 with our new HEMS concept. This was the ideal stage to present our new Side/ Rear Load Stretcher.

Side/ Rear Load Stretcher
An absolute novelty is our modular Side/ Rear Load Stretcher, which is already in use at one of our most valued customers. In close collaboration with the rescue teams of two reference customers, we have designed the stretcher to meet the requirements of rescue operations even more effectively. New functionalities such as intuitive, quick and easy loading, a one-hand-adjustable backrest, approved by Bucher for the “taxi, take-off and landing” phase, and V-shaped comfort handles adapted to the anatomy of the human body are just a few of the many innovations. And best of all, we enable both smooth rear loading and highly ergonomic side loading. The functional design also ensures maximum flexibility for patient care – essential in critical situations.

If you could not participate at Helitech, but are interested in our equipment, let one of our experts explain our novelties and products to you. 

Modular equipment options
Learn more about Bucher’s modular equipment options. Because our products have been designed to be used interchangeably, it is possible to use various elements of the AC67 HEMS equipment in an H145 or elements of the AC70 in an H135. One example is the multifunctional Center Cabinet with optional cabin heating and/or heat compartment for infusion bottles including spacious storage compartments. We also offer a wide range of standard interface mounts for medical devices, which are included in all new HEMS kits from Bucher Leichtbau.

This interchangeability allows us to configure the equipment for any application with maximum flexibility, modular and individually adapted to the customer.  According to this, the weight of the helicopter can be reduced depending on the application.