GKN Aerospace, a multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier for use in Defence and Commercial aircraft ranging from helicopters, business jets, and passenger planes to the most advanced fighter aircraft has held its inauguration ceremony for its all-new facility of Aero-engine parts repair in Johor, Malaysia.
Officiated by Senator Datuk Lim Ban Hong, Deputy Minister, Malaysia International Trade and Industry, the ceremony was attended by Lee Ting Han, the chairman of the State’s Investment, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee, representing Johor’s Menteri Besar Office, Joachim Bergstrom, Sweden’s Ambassador to Malaysia, and Richard Colley, Country Director representing British High Commissioner to Malaysia attended the ceremony.
GKN Aerospace Leadership will come together with Federal and State Government officials from Malaysia, as well as investment partners and customers, to recognise GKN Aerospace’s establishment in the region and the importance of growing the Aerospace market in Southern Malaysia.
The site is focusing on servicing engine low-pressure compressor (LPC) components for CFM56-5B, CFM56-7 and V2500. The first CFM platforms have been repaired and delivered to customers in December 2021. The repair of V2500 Fan Blades kicked off in June 2022. The portfolio will be expanded with GTF 24K Fan Blades and CFM Fan Blades later this year and in early 2023. Research is centred on the application of additive manufacturing technology in engine parts repair.
The current team of 90 employees will grow to 150 operators in 2023 and further expand to 300 within five years. GKN Aerospace is providing on-site training for employees. The expansion to Asia is an important part of GKN Aerospace’s long-term growth strategy and global operating model. The facility is complementary to GKN Aerospace’s existing component repair facility in El Cajon, California, USA to meet growing demand in the Asia Pacific region.
The new site is a fully owned GKN Aerospace business, and Johor offers favourable conditions in the areas of business development, labour, education & training and infrastructure. It also has an excellent location relative to the company’s major customers in the Asian Pacific Region.
GKN Aerospace now operates seven facilities in Asia, delivering aerostructures, engine systems, wiring systems and transparencies in China, India, Malaysia and Turkey. By the time all sites are fully up-and-running, around 15% of GKN Aerospace’s employees are expected to be based in Asia.
Joakim Andersson, President of Engines Systems said, “We are really proud to open this state-of-the-art facility finally and to be able to share this celebration with our customers, employees and stakeholders. We have strongly invested in the site and injected the latest automated manufacturing technology. It is a true demonstration of our commitment to support our customers in the Asian Pacific Region and this has already led to exciting growth opportunities. We thank the Government of Malaysia for the excellent collaboration and for their vital and valuable support in facilitating our decision to locate in their country.”
