US components giant Kellstrom Industries is experiencing rapid growth in its Asia/Pacific business. The Florida-based company says its key growth drivers are its exclusive distribution deal with Ametek and its latest investment in mainland China.
Here at Asian Aerospace, Kellstrom is promoting its recent investment in the region including the opening a new regional sales & marketing office in Singapore. The firm’s exclusive distribution agreement with Ametek covers factory new OEM material such as engine sensors and cockpit instruments, and builds on a proven track record of increasing Ametek sales in other parts of the world such as Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America.
The Ametek distribution has helped Kellstrom double its business in the Asia/Pacific region by opening doors that were previously closed or difficult to penetrate. “Airlines are now quick to add Kellstrom to their approved vendor lists,” says regional managing director, Tim Pesqueira. This in turn has helped drive sales of other Kellstrom product lines such as overhauled engine parts from Pratt & Whitney, GE & Rolls Royce as well as airframe spare parts from Boeing and Airbus.”
“We estimate that the three top airline groups - Air China in Beijing, China Eastern in Shanghai and China Southern in Guangzhou - have a combined market potential of more than 1,000 Boeing and Airbus aircraft that we serve. In order to penetrate this market, we have added staff with language and regional cultural ties that allow us to understand better the unique business practices of state-run airlines. We are working towards the goal of conducting meetings in Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien or Hakka, rather than forcing everyone to speak English.”
By exhibiting at Hong Kong, Pesqueira says Kellstrom aims to attract more distribution business. “This will allow us to develop the critical mass needed to help cost justify the opening of a regional logistics centre. This will in turn help us to get our product to the customers quicker and is a logical next step in our continued effort to grow our business in the region.” Kellstrom has also launched a new avionics and accessories repair business called High Tech.
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Source: Flight Daily News
