JOHOR BARU: Global engineering leader, GKN Aerospace, has invested US$$35mil (RM160mil) to open its state-of-the-art aero-engine parts repair facility at Nusajaya Tech Park here.
GKN Aerospace is the world’s leading tier one aerospace supplier, serving aircraft and aero-engine manufacturers worldwide with advanced systems and components.
The British based company is also a market leader in aero structures, engine systems, transparencies and wiring systems.
GKN Aerospace engines systems president Joakim Andersson said the company employed 15,000 employees in 12 different countries.
He added with its repair facility operating at Nusajaya Tech Park, the company now has seven facilities across Asia, delivering aero structures, engine systems, wiring systems and transparencies in China, India, Malaysia and Turkey.
Andersson also said that by the time all sites were fully up and running, around 15% of their employees would be based in Asia.
“We have strongly invested in the site here and have injected the latest automated manufacturing technology.
“It is a true demonstration of our commitment to support our customers in the Asia-Pacific region and this has already led to exciting growth opportunities,” he said when met during the grand opening of its aero-engine parts repair facility yesterday.
He thanked the Malaysian government for their excellent collaboration and for their vital and valuable support in facilitating GKN Aerospace’s decision to locate in Malaysia.
Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Lim Ban Hong officiated the grand opening of GKN Aerospace aero-engine parts repair facility.
The facility site manager David Davies said presently, they have 90 employees and they expect it to grow to 150 operators by next year and further expand it to 300 employees within the next five years.
“The facility is complementary to GKN Aerospace’s existing component repair facility, which is located at El Cajon in the United States to meet the growing demand on the Asia-Pacific region.
“Johor offers favourable conditions in the areas of business development, labour, education and training and infrastructure. It also has an excellent location relative to the company’s major customers in the Asia-Pacific region,” he added.
Meanwhile, Johor investment, trade and consumer affairs committee chairman Lee Ting Han said the state government welcomed the investment made by GKN Aerospace with 99% of its employees at the facility were Malaysians providing high value jobs for locals.
He added that with following GKN Aerospace presence in the state, there were seven more international aerospace companies located here.
“We want to create an aerospace cluster in Johor where we have good infrastructures already in space such as seaports, an international airport and our strategic location with Singapore.
“There are other international aerospace companies that have shown interest in investing in the state,” he said adding that with the investments made by GKN Aerospace and other related companies, it would positioned Johor as an industrial aerospace hub in the region.
