Component repair service

GKN Aerospace has secured a five-year contract with UK-based aircraft component company, AJW Aviation, to become its preferred supplier of composite and metallic structural repairs.

The collaboration will create a comprehensive structural component repair service for the aerospace industry, with GKN responsible for assessing and costing the repair of each item within a 30-day period.

Jeff Armitage, vice-president and director of nacelles at GKN Aerospace, said: ‘Under this agreement, our EASA and FAA 145 repair facilities at Cowes in the UK will undertake the repair and re-certification of metallic and composite components currently held in stock with AJW.

‘Through the agreement, operators will have direct access to a vast stock of replacement aircraft components, including, but not limited to, flying surfaces, fairings, undercarriage doors and panels. Our repair capabilities, combined with this access to the comprehensive stock holding at AJW, means we will be able to offer an exchange service to operators, which will alleviate critical concerns surrounding aircraft down time.’

The deal is part of GKN’s plans to increase its global maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations, which currently totals annual sales of £160m.

Armitage added: ‘This agreement takes that relationship in a new direction, combining our world-leading expertise in metallic and composite manufacture with AJW's expertise as an aircraft spares specialist and MRO service provider, to offer an efficient and highly effective repair service to the global aerospace community.’