With an annual increase of more than six per cent in passenger volumes, China is one of the fastest growing markets in the aviation industry. The Austrian technology group FACC is further expanding its global network of distributors and launching a strategic cooperation with China's STAECO (Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering) in order to systematically penetrate the Chinese MRO market. The Chinese corporate group, with locations in Jinan, Shanghai and Beijing, is one of the leading MRO stations in China.

“Aftermarket services today already constitute an important economic pillar for FACC with great potential for the future. I am therefore very pleased that we were able to establish a partnership with the distributor STAECO. I am convinced that, together, we will be able to successfully market FACC's MRO services in China,” comments FACC CEO Robert Machtlinger. “STAECO will provide outstanding know how as an important and competent local partner. It will support us in delivering our services quickly and economically in order to offer our customers high quality with short lead times.”

In China, STAECO will take over the distribution of FACC's entire aftermarket services portfolio in the field of commercial aviation as well as for the refurbishment of business jets. In addition, the distributor will serve as a base for component repairs.

With its aftermarket services business segment, FACC offers airlines, MRO stations, spare part suppliers and service providers worldwide a comprehensive range of services based on the three pillars of 'repair, refurbish and replace', which comprise repairs, maintenance, modernisation as well as the procurement of spare parts for components and systems on a full-service basis.

FACC is able to draw on more than 30 years of expertise in the development and manufacture of lightweight construction technologies and systems and can rely on the proven performance of the OEM supply chain. In addition to infrastructure in Europe, which is covered by the parent plant in Austria along with repair facilities in the USA and Canada, the cooperation with STAECO strengthens FACC's presence in Asia and gives customers fast and flexible access to services and support meeting OEMs' high quality standards.

FACC vice president aftermarket services Christian Mundigler emphasises the opportunities for growth that the market has to offer: “We believe that the cooperation with STAECO is a win-win situation for both companies. With the sharp rise in air traffic in China as well as the growing share of composite materials used in aircraft construction in general, the demand for qualified MRO services in the composite sector is also increasing. This gives us the opportunity to grow together as a qualified MRO partner with the comprehensive range of maintenance and repair services offered by FACC and STAECO.”

Besides STAECO, FACC is currently collaborating with two other US distributors, Proponent in California and Alaris Aerospace Systems in Florida.