Jet Aviation has reorganised its facility in Basel, Switzerland, into two independently managed organisations covering completions and maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO).
The initiative is driven, the company says, by the difficult economic environment, an ongoing industry-wide slowdown "and other unfavourable conditions, including the strong Swiss Franc". The recent, unexpected cancellation of a Boeing 747-8 cabin interior VVIP completion project has also impacted the business, it adds.
"Each organisation will be streamlined for maximum effectiveness, establishing accountability and operational control by line of business, which will help us to further improve our processes and reduce costs," says Dan Clare, president of the Jet Aviation Group. "This initiative helps keep us competitive now and as we look to our future," he continues.
The reorganisation will lead to the loss of about 250 jobs.
Neil Boyle, who joined Jet Aviation from sister company Gulfstream in July last year, will head up the newly formed completions organisation, while Johannes Turzer, will manage the MRO division.
"We are currently in negotiations with a number of prospects for new completions business and are optimistic that we will sign a project agreement in the coming months," says Clare.
Source: Flight International
