Page 17 - AAA NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2014 Online Magazine

FEATURE AAR

My goal is to secure 50 per cent of our business from
outside North America in the next three years

– Rahul Shah, Senior Vice-President and Managing Director, AAR Asia
for cost-effective solutions to their AAR is now able to serve as a prime vendor systems, ULDs and aftermarket services
everyday maintenance needs,” Shah rather than a secondary one.” to virtually every airline operating wide-
said, adding “the skill of our workforce, “We have recently signed large body aircraft in the world and OEMs.
the efficiency of our processes and our exclusive OEM parts distributorships with
dedication to quality and airworthiness Eaton and Unison,” he added. Recent Acquisition
will allow airlines to reduce their costs The agreement to distribute Eaton’s Most recently, AAR acquired Sabena
while maintaining the highest standards fluid-distribution products to support Technics’ employees and inventory in
for quality and passenger safety.” airline customers relationship designed Brussels and opened a new supply chain/
AAR serves commercial and defence to expand service and support for parts warehouse in Brussels to help serve
customers in 17 countries under two commercial airlines worldwide has been and grow its business in the Middle East
operating segments: Aviation Services a natural step. and Africa.
and Technology Products and has been in “This new agreement with Eaton In recent years, AAR has increased
business over 60 years. expands our relationship from military and its global supply chain infrastructure to
Under its technology products defence into the commercial parts market include operations in Chicago, Singapore,
segment, AAR designs and manufactures and reinforces AAR’s ability to provide Indianapolis, Toronto, Amsterdam and
a wide variety of mechanical systems, efficient and cost-effective solutions for Brussels.
specialized equipment and structural Eaton’s aftermarket,” he added. “The launch of our new supply chain
components used by Original Equipment The new agreement includes Eaton’s hub establishes a rotable pool operation
Manufacturers (OEMs), aircraft fleet high-temperature and high-pressure duct covering key aircraft platforms such as
operators and defence forces. AAR also joints, static and dynamic engine seals, A330, A320, and 737NG aircraft for current
offers a wide range of engineering, pressure sensing and control products, and and future customers,” he said.
precision fabrication, systems integration oil debris-monitoring products and systems. In addition to providing on-going
and structural repair services. power-by-the-hour support for 13 former
“The innovation of AAR businesses led New Orders Sabena customers, AAR’s 24/7 facility
to the first lightweight cargo solution that About the recent achievements in Asia, in Brussels is also supporting AOG and
can contain an on board fire for six hours Shah said, AAR’s Nordisk subsidiary other parts requirements for existing AAR
of flight. The company procures and leases received orders for nearly 400 lightweight customers in Europe, the Middle East and
aircraft and is the largest independent air cargo containers and pallets from Africa, such as Kenya Airways.
operator of airlift services to the U.S. Xiamen Airlines for its first Boeing 787-8 “As AAR expands its global Aviation
Department of Defense in Afghanistan,” aircraft. Supply Chain business, we recognize the
Shah noted. Nordisk ULDs are the lightest weight importance of augmenting our support for
in the industry, and will save the airline, the growing Asia market,” he added.
Business Strategy which is based in the Fujian Province of The other recent addition to AAR’s
Talking about his company’s business China, a minimum 350 tons of fuel a year 1MRO Network is its facility in Lake
strategy, Shah said, “We have taken a and reduce CO2 emissions by more than Charles, Louisiana, in September. The
great step in aligning with OEMs on repair 1,200 tons. facility has begun supporting a customer
management through our power-by-the- “A critical component of Nordisk’s mix of major U.S. carriers, leasing
hour (PBH) programmes, which provide success has been significant investments institutions and VIP operators covering
business to OEMs. This way there will be in research, design and product a broad range of wide-body aircraft to
a sustainable two-way mutually beneficial engineering. We have led the industry include the Airbus 330 and 340, and
relationship with OEMs.” in designing the most technologically Boeing 767 and 777 platforms. Program
“AAR is able to do PBH well because advanced, lightweight Unit Load Devices work scopes include heavy maintenance
we have historical knowledge of almost that provide operators with high-strength, checks, interior modifications, and IFE
every part and can accurately forecast lower-weight alternatives to traditional system upgrades and modifications.
needs based on the number of hours an ULD products,” Shah said. While about 55 per cent of AAR’s
aircraft flies. Our work in this area has also AAR, through its Telair and Nordisk business is focussed in the commercial
expanded our relationships with airlines subsidiaries, is the premier designer and market, about 45 per cent is dedicated to
and OEMs. With these recent changes, manufacturer of advanced cargo loading defence sector worldwide.
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