Nordam is to acquire the CF6 thrust-reverser repair business of General Electric company Middle River Aircraft Systems (MRAS). The US nacelle repair specialist will also take over manufacture of out-of-production parts for CF6-6, -50 and -80A thrust reversers.
MRAS is original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for CF6-80-series thrust reversers and the deal gives Nordam access to GE's technical data and resources to develop repairs. "This is the first step of many to move us up the value chain," says Nordam chief operating officer John Uzeckaj.
Nordam will relocate the MRAS assets to its Tulsa, Oklahoma-based repair division, and its sites in Wales and Singapore, and also take over management of the supply chain for out-of-production parts. "The deal secures our supply chain for parts, which is how we will differentiate ourselves," says Uzeckaj.
Nordam has a larger share of the CF6 nacelle and reverser repair market than MRAS, thanks to major customer FedEx Express, but the acquisition will grow its repair business by 10-15% while improving turn time. "This will improve our speed to market, giving us a direct path to the supply chain and more control of the parts," says Meredith Siegfried, vice-president global sales and marketing.
As part of the deal, Nordam has been named exclusive supplier of thrust reverser repairs under "pylon-down" maintenance deals struck by GE Engine Services. MRAS CF6 reverser contracts are expected to be moved to Nordam by early 2007.
Source: Flight International
