Bell Helicopter and Cessna have opened a joint regional service centre at Singapore's Seletar Aerospace Park.
Although the two companies are both units of Textron, this is the first time they have opened a joint service centre, the two companies said in a press conference.
The facility represents an investment of $30 million.
The 160,500ft² (15,000m²) building includes two hangars, one for Cessna and one for Bell. It also includes 77,000ft² of ramp space, offices, a parts warehouse, and MRO facilities for both helicopters and aircraft.
Bell chief executive John Garrison said the joint facility is part of Bell's efforts to increase its physical presence in the Asia-Pacific. It is also in line with Bell's renewed focus on the commercial helicopter market.
"In many places, we've seen erosion in our market position," he said. "We're reversing this trend."
Garrison added that the developmental Bell 525 Relentless is well-suited to the Asia-Pacific's booming energy sector, with a first flight for the type expected in 2014.
Source: Flight International
