Edwin Poldermans has been appointed head of MRO at aircraft painting and exterior coatings specialist MAAS Aviation, while group chief operating officer Mark Gidman prepares to step away from the business after 36 years. Gidman will remain involved with MAAS as a shareholder and special adviser, with management of day-to-day operations passing to Poldermans.

Poldermans brings more than 30 years of aviation and aerospace experience to MAAS, having held senior roles at Fokker Techniek, GKN Fokker and the Netherlands Aerospace Group.

CEO Danny Hakker comments, “Edwin combines a hands-on, people-focused approach with strong commercial and operational leadership. His ability to build high-performing teams and scalable operations will be a great asset as MAAS continues to grow the MRO side of its aircraft painting business.”

Looking back over Gidman’s career, Hakker adds: “Mark has been instrumental in expanding the network of sites we operate today. His keen eye for quality, commitment to customer service and genuine care for his teams have helped define the values and standards that underpin MAAS today. We are immensely grateful for Mark’s remarkable contribution and for the leadership, integrity and dedication he continues to bring to the business.”

“I’m very pleased to be joining MAAS at an important stage in its development,” says Poldermans. “With a strong operational foundation and talented teams across Europe, we are well positioned to build on our capabilities and respond to the evolving needs of our customers, namely airlines, OEMs and private jet owner/operators.”

MAAS provides services for OEMs, airlines, private owners/operators, leasing companies and MRO operators from 13 paint shops for narrow-body and regional aircraft, capable of handling up to 580 aircraft per year. Its facilities in the Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania and the USA are certified to EN/AS9100 and ISO9001 quality standards and operate environmental management systems certified to ISO14001.