GKN Aerospace creates new, dedicated, metallic and composite repair facility.

See us at MRO USA, 15th - 17th April, 2008.
Booth number 2517.

As a result of the substantial growth of the Company's composite aero-structures design and manufacturing business, and in order to meet future market demand, GKN Aerospace has created a dedicated facility focusing on composite and metallic structure repair and support. This new facility, at the Company's Cowes, UK site, exploits the market-leading Cowes-based expertise in composite materials to grow the Company's extensive global MRO operation providing repaired or replacement, metallic or composite airframe and aero-engine structures and transparencies.

Jeff Armitage, VP and Managing Director Nacelles at GKN Aerospace comments: As airline needs grow and change - as a result of growing air traffic and because of the increasing number of aircraft in service that contain high levels of composite structure - it is our aim to offer airlines a single reliable source for efficient repair or replacement of both composite and metallic structural components."

Since commencing the MRO operation at the Cowes site in 2000 the activity has grown from zero to a turnover approaching $10m, and from completing wing part repairs on GKN Aerospace Original Equipment to supporting a number of UK-based airlines with repairs to a broad range of composite parts not originally manufactured by the Company. The range of items being repaired today includes all flying surfaces and structural components and engine fairings.

The new facility has been created through the complete refurbishment of an existing building on the site and is currently staffed by over 30 personnel, a number that is expected to grow over the coming years given the increasing need for efficient composite structure repair and replacement.

GKN Aerospace has global market leads in its aero-structures, aircraft propulsion and transparencies businesses and has an aftermarket operation supporting all these businesses that currently represents some 15% of sales. The Company's business plan aims to take this figure to nearer 40% of sales by 2012, largely through working in partnership with prime manufacturing customers to meet growing operator demand.