Pattonair launches enhanced MRO Services portfolio for Engine market

The leading global aerospace and defence supply chain provider, Pattonair, is launching a new and enhanced MRO Services portfolio at the global MRO procurement expo, AP&M in London, 31 May to 1 June. The portfolio introduces innovations, such as Zero Waste and Zero-Lead-Time solutions via ‘Smart Kitting’, ‘Automated Inventory’ and the Warehouse in a Box, designed to meet the changing needs of customers in the growing Engine MRO and Aftermarket sector.

Pattonair’s enhanced MRO Services have been designed from the ground up by industry experts to deliver customer value through optimised, scalable and, most importantly, sustainable services. They cover all MRO aspects of Aerospace, Marine and Industrial gas turbine power plant as well as Aerospace wheel and brake and landing gear.

“We are seeing an increased focus from OEM’s and MRO’s, operators and lessors, on retaining product on-wing for longer periods and reducing the total cost of overhaul; at the same time there is an increasing reliance on the use of big data and engine health monitoring to optimise on-wing longevity and shop visit planning profiles”, says Pattonair’s MRO Services Director, Jim Smith, who led the redesign and joined Pattonair from Rolls-Royce, bringing 20 years’ OEM and MRO experience.

Pattonair’s enhanced MRO Services build on the company’s leadership in supplying C class parts to major OEMs and MROs and its investment in intelligent inventory management and intelligent forecasting via its Akrivis system. Its Zero-Time-Lead solutions include the Fly-Away Warehouse in a Box, for tactical on-wing use at flight-line, main bases and remote site locations or off-wing for critical path operations such as engine test cells, customer delivery centres, the aim being to locate the parts at the point of consumption. The customer has the option to use them on a pay as you go basis and intelligent inventory management systems and real time tracking ensures the right parts are stocked.

“Our MRO Services have been designed with a logistics focus to minimise operational disruption and eliminate non-value activity. I hear a lot of talk about the last mile, our MRO services cover literally the last millimetre. We aim to drive in shop turnaround improvements by up to 20%”, explains Jim Smith.

This distinctive approach also allows Pattonair to experiment and prototype new service solutions and technologies. A case in point is its use of automation and robotics within factory operations, logistics and kitting, where the company is working with leading UK technology centres and governmental bodies to develop real-world cost effective future technology.

Pattonair’s quality and delivery has made it the service provider of choice for major OEMs and MROs, which is reflected in a series supplier awards, most recently the Boeing Performance Excellence Silver Award; Safran Landing Systems’ top supplier award, the Performance Excellence Award; Safran Helicopter Engines’ Gold Supplier status and Rolls-Royce’s 2016 Supplier of the Year.

Pattonair serves over 2000 blue chip engine, airframe, systems and MRO customers, including Rolls-Royce, GE, Pratt & Whitney and Airbus, from its global network of dedicated facilities. Which MRO customers, if any, can we name?