Airline Services Components Ltd seeks to expand rotable parts activity

Wednesday 6th May, 2009

Airline Services Components Ltd (ASC), part of the growing Airlines Services Group, is marking almost three years of support to Europe’s airlines with a commitment to significantly expand its component support facilities at London Gatwick Airport - already home to a substantial stockholding of Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737 Series rotable components, including wheels and brake assemblies.

Chris Hooley, Managing Director of ASC says: “We are well ahead of our initial business plan and consequently are bringing forward plans for expansion. We are actively searching for new facilities to house the ever expanding stock and give us the room we need for future growth.” Plans being considered include shared facilities with ASC’s sister company Airline Services Limited which also has large premises at Gatwick. This would bring obvious synergies and could lead to increased efficiencies.

ASC is currently working closely with leading aircraft braking specialist Messier Bugatti, providing retrofit management expertise for a range of programmes including the new carbon brake on the B737NG fleet. It is also involved in the Boeing 787 programme.

ASC also works with a number of other OEM’s and high quality repair shops in order to assist in the provision of nose to tail component services for its ever expanding list of customers. The senior management team at ASC has amassed significant experience in the aerospace industry covering a range of disciplines from commercial and supply chain management within the airlines through to MRO and power-by-the-hour (PBH) management with major stockists and parts suppliers. The team has built up a solid reputation for expertise and efficiency in the supply and management of rotable parts on the basis of, exchange, loan, lease, sale or PBH agreements. ASC has also created a niche in the market through its expertise on the management of wheel and brake programmes, already providing CPL programmes for a number of operators. Rotable repair management for the operators also forms a significant revenue stream for the company.

This week (May 6-7) ASC is participating at the Aviation Industry Group-sponsored Airline Purchasing Expo (Stand No G17) at London’s Olympia, taking the opportunity to meet with its customers and suppliers. Airline Services Group CEO Bryan Bodek will join the ASC team.

“These face to face industry networking opportunities are very important, especially now in the current economic climate,” he said. “We are here to listen to our customers and suppliers and during these two days we will discuss how we can work better together as the aerospace industry faces increasingly challenging times.”

Chris Hooley, who comes from an airline background having spent 25 years with bmi in key engineering roles, has a clear view of how ASC intends to meet these challenges:-

“Whilst the current climate brings challenging times for the aviation industry, we believe it also represents a significant opportunity for suppliers who can demonstrate stability, reliability and trustworthiness in their business dealings. Those companies are well placed to forge even stronger partnerships with their current and future customers and suppliers through regular communication and support processes whereby each customer is treated as a unique individual. We aim to buck the trend by using this period to grow our business and build an even more solid platform from which to exploit the opportunities ready for when the upturn comes.”

Editor’s notes

Airline Services Group comprises five main divisions – Ramp Operations (de-icing, interior and exterior cleaning, carpet fitting, presentation and laundry at nine UK airports). Engineering and Workshop activities (Part 21 J and G Design and Manufacture, Part 145 EASA repair and overhaul of avionic, galley and IFE equipment) are carried out at Manchester. IFE products and systems are handled from Manchester whilst IFE On-Wing Support is provided from Heathrow and several other airports around the world.

The Aviation Textiles division, also based in Manchester covers the design, manufacture, supply and fit of embraces seat covers, curtains, and related accessories. Rotable Component Support – through Airline Services Components which is based at London-Gatwick. This division specialises in the supply and management of rotable components including Wheels and Brakes on the basis of power by hour, exchange, loan, lease or sale agreements, as well as repair management.

For more information see www.asl-components.com