In June last year, HAECO Group opened its new aircraft component MRO facility at Xiamen. HAECO Component Overhaul (Xiamen) Limited [HAECO CRO (XMN)] is a specialist in aircraft hydraulic, mechanical, avionic and pneumatic repair and overhaul, possessing capabilities across the Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft fleets. Currently, the facility operates under EASA approval, with CAAC and FAA accreditation expected to complete within 2015.
Capability Development
To offer more comprehensive component services to customers worldwide, HAECO CRO (XMN) has recently acquired 5,000 psi Hydraulic Skydrol and MIL 5606 (Red-oil) test benches to complement its existing service offering. These are universal test benches with a wide array of test programmes and adaptors, capable of covering a wide range of hydraulic components for newer generation aircraft such as the Airbus A306, A320, A330, A350 and the Boeing 777-ER.
In 2015, the HAECO subsidiary will add to its portfolio 210 more part numbers across 13 ATA chapters, including hydraulic components (ATA 29), Flight Control Systems (ATA 27) and electro-mechanical components (ATA 21, 25, 52), anticipating a workload of up to 27,000 production man-hours during the year. In the second half of 2015, HAECO CRO (XMN) will install additional test benches and equipment, including an Integrated Actuator Testing System, Universal Automatic Test Equipment, Audio Control Panel and Gearbox Testing System.
Productivity and People Development
In the knowledge that extensive capabilities alone are not enough to set HAECO CRO (XMN) apart from competition in the marketplace, the HAECO Group’s new facility was designed with lean processes and business optimisation initiatives in mind, in order to maximise productivity, reduce costs and increase profits. Six Sigma and Visual Management practices have been integrated into its production flow, from tool cabinets to workplace design, enhancing process control and improve efficiency.
HAECO believes that optimising its production processes will not only benefit the company in terms of cost-saving and profit-earning, but will also translate into customer benefits in the form of lower costs, quicker component turnaround times and ultimately less aircraft downtime.
HAECO CRO (XMN) is also investing in human resource development; its existing workforce receives on-the-job and type training in various Part-147 maintenance training organisations, including the Group’s own Hong Kong base, allowing the company to acquire additional type approvals on a regular basis. In 2015, the company aims to recruit over 100 more engineers and mechanics.