Wales boasts long-established capabilities in MRO services for aerospace. Around 20% of the UK’s activity is managed here, the industry is worth around £1.5 billion in turnover and employs 6,000 people, and the sector continues to grow alongside the expanding expertise of its skilled workforce.
These compelling messages will be delivered at Europe’s leading conference and exhibition for the aviation maintenance sector.
A major focus of the Welsh Government and Aerospace Wales Forum presence at ExCel will be the new Bro Tathan site, a business park co-located with a commercial airfield, offering significant opportunities for business, air and innovation. Bro Tathan’s heritage dates back toMinistry of Defence days, and developed with Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul as its principal activity. It is home to eCube Solutions and Bristow Helicopters, and many of the world’s primary aerospace businesses operate in the local area, including British Airways, Airbus and GE.
Covering some 1,200 acres with a fully operational 1.8 kilometre runway and multiple airside services, Bro Tathan is just 10 minutes from Cardiff Airport, with its 50 direct flights and more than 900 international connections; 20 minutes from the M4 and its routes to London and the key cities of the UK; and Wales’ capital city Cardiff lies within 15 miles.
eCube Solutions, a global player in the aviation services industry, has been delivering ‘end-of-life’ aircraft projects and much more for a number of years at Bro Tathan. Business Director Peter Dunsford said: “For eCube Solutions, Bro Tathan has a unique combination of offerings – access to the South Wales pool of aviation talent, a regulated airfield with permanent Air Traffic Control, a runway which accommodates aircraft of all sizes, and easy access to Cardiff, Cardiff airport and the motorway network. Last but not least, we have the backing of the Welsh Government, with the Airfield Development Team and Business Wales supporting our company’s development on a regular basis.”
Bro Tathan facilities include bespoke, refurbished hangers, warehousing and office facilities, plus design and build opportunities, and there is access to a skilled talent pool, with strong links to local colleges and universities.
Elsewhere in Wales, GE Aviation is the world MRO base for the GE90 engine, used in the twin-engine wide-body Boeing 777, and handles the GP7000, which powers the Airbus A380 and the CFM56 family of engines; Valley in Anglesey is currently home to RAF operations and MRO is carried out by BAE Systems and Babcock; British Airways is also committed to Welsh expertise, with three dedicated MRO facilities across a 50km radius in South Wales – British Airways Maintenance Cardiff, British Airways Interior Engineering and British Airways Avionic Engineering.
Other MRO companies in Wales include: AerFin; AerMach; Aerocare; Allied Aerosystems; AMSS; GJD Aerotech; Morson Projects; NORDAM; Vaayu and Willis Asset Management. Many of our supply chain companies provide products, parts and services for the MRO sector including: Safran Seats; PPA; Gardner Aerospace; Tritech Group; Triumph, Cottam & Brookes, TWI and more.
