APOC Aviation is moving forward with expansion plans at its facility in Berkel en Rodenrijs, the Netherlands.

Construction of an additional 2,500sq m warehouse and technical inspections base that adjoins the existing premises is being finalised, which will treble storage capacity.

“Irrespective of the impact of Covid-19 and the massive reduction in sales of aircraft parts across the industry worldwide, there have been opportunities to buy or take assets on consignment – not only at favourable prices, but also to partner with airlines and lessors to help them out,” stated APOC’s CEO Max Lutje Wooldrik.

“We believe that our infrastructure, customer network and inventory management technologies can deliver enormous benefits at this time.”

APOC specialises in narrowbody components and currently has four 737 airframes undergoing teardown which it said would balance its A320 family stock. Imminent arrival of these parts alongside the investment in other aircraft assets, including landing gear and engines, over the past 12-18 months has brought forward APOC’s expansion plans and stimulated further new stock hubs in Singapore and Miami.

“Naturally, the bulk of our new 737 stock will stay in the US because the fleet of Boeing aircraft in service is greatest there,” said Wooldrik. “Having the right stock in the right place is essential. We can also be ultra-efficient in terms of shipping bulky items using overnight truck delivery rather than airfreight if it is more cost-effective.

“But our European centre in the Netherlands is the focus for process enhancements and streamlining stock management overall. The facility extension will not only house the warehouse team, but also APOC’s technical experts for they have the most interaction. We’ll be recruiting too and APOC’s door is always open to enthusiastic, top quality people who want to join our expanding workforce.”

Looking ahead, Wooldrik commented: “China is the next step and we’re looking again at our options for the region. Inevitably our plans have been curtailed [by the pandemic] but our landing gear division has recently concluded some significant deals there and we are keen to build upon and support this momentum.”