Chincul
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | December 12, 1972 |
| Founder | José María Beraza |
| Defunct | January 31, 1995 |
| Fate | Closed |
| Headquarters | Pocito, San Juan Province , Argentina |
Area served | Argentina |
Key people | José María Beraza |
| Products | Licensed production of Piper Aircraft models (PA-28 Cherokee, PA-31 Navajo, PA-32R), Bell 212 and Bell 412SP helicopters |
Number of employees | 450 |
| Parent | La Macarena S.A. |
Chincul SACAIFI was an Argentine company specializing in the production of aircraft under license from Piper Aircraft. It functioned as a fully owned subsidiary of "La Macarena S.A.," which served as Piper's distributor within Argentina.
History
The Argentine Air Force, aiming to modernize its outdated fleet, encouraged the substitution of foreign aircraft with domestically manufactured models. This movement was championed by landowner José María Beraza, who was motivated by the vision of Alejandro Agustín Lanusse.
Established on December 12, 1972, the factory began producing licensed Piper Aircraft. Piper’s international approach involved licensing production in developing markets to expand its commercial footprint and benefit from lower labor expenses.
Taking advantage of government industrial incentives that included tax benefits, Chincul set up its manufacturing site in Pocito, located in San Juan Province. The facility comprised two expansive hangars and workshops spanning 14,000 m2.
Chincul's peak period
During its most productive phase, the factory operated 10 assembly lines with a workforce of approximately 450 technicians and mechanics working year-round without interruption. The company manufactured close to 960 airplanes, highlighting Argentina’s industrial prowess.
Decline and closure
Starting in the mid-1980s, economic challenges such as inflation combined with Piper Aircraft’s bankruptcy caused a downturn. Despite attempts by Beraza’s consortium to maintain production, difficulties continued.
The final series of PA-18 Super Cub aircraft were produced between 1991 and 1994, after which the plant halted operations on January 31, 1995. Since then, the Pocito facility has remained unused, signaling the conclusion of its manufacturing chapter.
Production
Chincul’s licensed output included several Piper models:
- Piper PA-28 Cherokee — around 960 units
- Piper PA-31 Navajo
- Piper PA-32R — 26 units
Additional models
The company also possessed licenses for manufacturing Bell 212 and Bell 412SP helicopters within San Juan province.
See also
- Other Argentine aviation manufacturers
Sources
Further reading
- Chincul, la planta que en San Juan llegó a fabricar casi mil aviones, "Los Andes" newspaper, 12 September 2006 (accessed 2016-07-14)
- (in Spanish) Recordando a Chincul S.A.