Page 33 - AAA JULY - AUGUST 2013 Online Magazine

FeATure poWerpLAnTs

Customised solutions
It’s not just the big names that are moving
east for the MRO business. UK-based
Morgan Advanced Materials has seen the
potential and has established an office
in Singapore for its advanced ceramic
and composite repair offerings, aimed at
power plant (turbine blade in particular)
customers. Morgan asserts that although
any third-party solution provider faces
challenges in the MRO space – including
OEMs having a significant competitive
advantage in the MRO market – additional
price pressures on the MRO industry will
provide more opportunities. Given Asia’s
rapid aviation growth, more aircraft and
engine manufacturers will be demanding
services, along with an improved quality of
competitor services in the market.
“One of the reasons for our success is
our ability to customise solutions to suit
the exact requirements of the customer,”
says Richard Miles, Morgan business
development manager. “Each application
requires a unique approach to assess its
needs and requirements, which allows us
to deliver the most efficient and resilient
solution available.”
Morgan’s range of MRO solutions
include PSPs (Pre Sintered Preforms)
that are used to rebuild the contours of
turbine blades and vanes. PSPs provide
selective build-up of the part, saving time,
enhancing cost-effectiveness and avoiding
the distortion associated with welding,
says Morgan. “Using advanced materials
and technologies helps airlines cut costs
and reduce downtime,” says Miles.
Things are happening outside
Singapore too. Pratt & Whitney has an
POwER PRODuCERS established MRO facility at its Shanghai
The Seletar Rolls-Royce facility, Engine Center (SEC), a joint venture
designed to allow simultaneous with China Eastern Airlines. Like Rolls-
assembly and testing of Rolls- Royce, the company has invested not just
Royce Trent engines under one in bricks, mortar and machinery, but in
roof, will be able to churn out up to manpower too. It has signed an agreement
250 engines a year at full capacity. with Shanghai Civil Aviation College
Initially Trent 900 and Trent 1000 (SCAC) to collaborate on apprenticeships
aero engines will be built at the
facility, using hollow titanium and licence training programmes, says
blades, a unique technology that Mike Eller, SEC general manager.
Rolls-Royce claims has played a “The training collaboration between
key role in the success of the Trent SEC and SCAC is the first training
engine family. collaboration between a MRO facility and
an academic institution in China,” he says.
WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM JULY / AUGUST 2013 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS 33