Hong Kong could start to feel like home for Swiss companies, not just because of the mountainous terrain that surrounds HK, but because they are picking up increasing amounts of business in the Asian region.
Swiss aircraft maker Pilatus believes Asia Pacific could become a major market for its PC-12 single-engined business turboprop. Fred Muggli, head of sales and marketing for the PC-12, says: “Asia Pacific is similar to Russia and India, slow on the uptake as people get used to the idea of general aviation. Russia is now a very strong market, and it can be expected that China will be similar.”
Currently there are only around 35 PC-12s in the region, but Pilatus is getting closer to certification of the PC-12NG (Next Generation), and Muggli is hopeful that after obtaining Chinese certification for the PC-12 interest and market demand will increase.
However, prospective buyers may be put off slightly by the order backlog for the aircraft. Pilatus is currently enjoying a 225-order backlog, and production is sold out until 2010. “We are already ramping up production to 115 aircraft a year and realistically this is our current limit until we can sort out the bottlenecks,” says Muggli.
The next time a PC-12 lands in the region, it could well visit fellow Swiss company Jet Aviation, which offers everything from aircraft management, charter, FBO and MRO services. Communications manager Roland Buecheler says: “There is definitely growth potential here. Compared to several years ago, the mentality has changed completely from the mindset that the company belongs to everyone. People now want to use a jet, but like Europe it needs to learn from the US. It’s a tool to increase efficiency and ease travel issues or constraints, not a toy.”
Also flying the flag for Switzerland is SR Technics, whose Asian customers already contribute 15% of the group’s turnover. “We have been in Asia for more than 20 years,” says Marco Imboden, vice president marketing. “The Middle East and Asia are the areas to be, and our focus is very much on these strong markets. It is important to show your brand to the market and Asian Aerospace with its B2B platform helps.
“We have been involved with expo more than just taking a stand. We contributed to the MRO master class and this show is offering huge opportunities for potential new customers – and even some from just the passing stand traffic,” says Imboden.
TTL, part of the Starragheckert group has some special techniques for turbine blade repair. By adapting the five-axis milling machines from its parent group with software it can increase the efficiency of blade repair.
TTL managing director Paul Walton says: “Historically, blade repair has been hand labour intensive, but we can adapt the milling machines with software that makes blade repair easier. It can emulate human hand motions, but it is fully automatic. This technique increases efficiency, autonomy and reduces cost.”
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Source: Flight Daily News
