GKN Aerospace’s new Malaysian facility researching Additive Manufacturing for aero engine repair
September 26, 2022
GKN Aerospace and Malaysian officials joined together to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s new $35 million facility for aero-engine parts in Johor, Malaysia, on September 22, after a two-year delay due to COVID-19. The facility’s research is centred around the use of Additive Manufacturing in engine parts repair.
The site is focusing on servicing engine low-pressure compressor (LPC) components for CFM56-5B, CFM56-7 and V2500. The first CFM platforms have been repaired and delivered to customers in December 2021. The repair of V2500 Fan Blades kicked off in June 2022. The portfolio is expected to be expanded with GTF 24K Fan Blades and CFM Fan Blades later this year and early 2023.
The current team of ninety site-trained employees is planned to grow to 150 operators in 2023, further expanding to 300 within five years.
The expansion to Asia is said to be an important part of GKN Aerospace’s long-term growth strategy and global operating model. The Johor facility is intended to be complementary to GKN Aerospace’s existing component repair facility in El Cajon, California, USA, to meet growing demand in the Asia Pacific region. As a location, Johor is said to offer favourable conditions in the areas of business development, labour, education & training and infrastructure.
GKN Aerospace now operates seven facilities in Asia, delivering aerostructures, engine systems, wiring systems and transparencies in China, India, Malaysia and Turkey. By the time all sites are fully up-and-running, around 15% of GKN Aerospace’s employees are expected to be based in Asia.
“We are really proud to finally open this state of the art facility and to be able to share this celebration with our customers, employees and stakeholders. We have strongly invested in the site and we injected the latest automated manufacturing technology,” stated Joakim Andersson, President Engines Systems. “It is a true demonstration of our commitment to support our customers in the Asian Pacific Region and this has already led to exciting growth opportunities. We thank the Government of Malaysia for the excellent collaboration and for their vital and valuable support in facilitating our decision to locate in their country.”
