Parts manufacturer Ontic has officially opened its new 72,000 square foot MRO facility in Tewksbury as it ramps up its aircraft maintenance and repair capabilities globally.
The former printworks has been transformed into a modern parts testing and repair centre that will house specialist teams working on commercial and defence aerospace components.
When at full capacity the facility will provide work for 200 MRO specialists, including technicians, customer service, logistics and supply chain executives, IT support, and a dedicated AOG helpline and control centre.
Ontic has invested $4 million in testing facility upgrades, and $11 million on refitting the building as part of a $30 million project to increase its MRO capacity in the UK and in Florida where a similar expansion of its facilities has already taken place.
The dedicated MRO shop in Tewksbury, Gloucestershire, has allowed teams to from its manufacturing bases in nearby Bishops Cleave and Staverton.
Specialist capabilities in the new MRO centre include pneumatic and hydraulic infrastructure testing and repair, an avionics workshop with an ISO7 clean room, a non-destructive testing room, a machine shop and a dark room.
The first MRO product lines were moved in last May after work began last September and work continues to complete parts of the facility which gives Ontic extra capacity for future growth. Ontic claims it will be the only UK-based MRO to have this range of capabilities under one roof.
The facility has already achieved BSI AS9100 certification as well as Part 145 approvals from the UK’s CAA regulator and the European Union Safety Agency (EASA). FAA accreditation was awarded as part of the CAA approval. CAAC approvals are expected to be confirmed before ethe end of this year.
Brian Sartain, Ontic chief executive said: “The opening of our Tewksbury MRO facility marks and step-change in how we support our customers.
“By consolidating all our UK expertise in one dedicated site, we are investing in the people, capability and infrastructure to consistently deliver a faster, more responsive and more transparent service.
“Alongside our new Miramar facility in the US, this is a significant milestone in our commitment to keeping established fleets flying safely for decades to come.”
Ontic says that its commercial airline customers will benefit improved repair and maintenance support aligned with the firm’s expertise as a licensed OEM of thousands of product lines.
It said the Tewksbury centre is “central to this commitment” and will give customers access to full, independent MRO support across the full lifecycle of operators’ aircraft and components.
Dave Mayne, MRO director for Europe, said: “I am really pleased with the progress we have made in bringing Tewksbury to life. Our teams have worked hard to launch the new site quickly so we can begin delivering the benefits if a dedicated MRO facility to our customers. Every decision from - product to people to process – has been guided by that goal.”
The new Ontic MRO facility in Tewksbury, Gloucestershire
ABN was given a behind-the-scenes tour of the $17 million site ahead of its official opening
