Close To Home: Netherlands-Based MRO Services

Aircraft End-Of-Life Solutions  (AELS), an aircraft disassembly and dismantling company, was founded in Zoetermeer by Derk-Jan Van Heerdan in 2006. Van Heerdan says that the Netherlands has a strong history in aviation with companies such as KLM, Schiphol and Fokker, which has helped other companies like AELS grow. "Due to these big, well-known players, many smaller companies have grown and become strategic players in the market. It attracts a big pool of talented people, in which the complete industry benefits." AELS will be announcing a substantial new contract during MRO Europe and will be at booth 10-1228.

Aircraft Maintenance & Training School (AM&TS) was founded in 2009 and is a continuation of the Fokker Bedrijfsschool. The school provides EASA Part 147 Basic and Type Training certification by the local aviation authority, Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). Recently, AM&TS launched new online training courses including Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) and Suspected Unapproved & Counterfeit Parts. The school also offers traditional training courses like Human Factors and Fuel Tank Safety. AM&TS hopes to reconnect with current partners but grow its existing network of MRO relationships at MRO Europe. It will be at Booth 10-1238.

Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) provides airframe modification and engine overhaul services and has operated in Amsterdam since its inception in 1919. Ton Dortmans, executive vice president, says that cooperation with technical universities including the Technical University of Delft and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences is how The Netherlands brings advantages to the MRO market. AFI KLM E&M will be showcasing its innovations from the new MRO Lab program, including robotics and digital products used in workshops and hangars, dedicated to Airbus A380s, A350s and Boeing 787s. It will exhibit at Booth 12-435.

Bert Groenewoud is the owner and founder of Earth & Flight Composites (EFC) a composites training and consultancy company that operates from the Regional Community College of Amsterdam (ROCvA). Groenewoud was raised near the Schiphol Airport and remembers a DC-8 landed on top of his roof when he was young. Now, he focuses on providing on-site training in Europe and globally. In March, EFC introduced a new Advanced Radome Repair composite repair course, taught by Robert Otterspoor, who assists a Dutch Part 145 company in radome and AOG repair monthly. EFC will be at Booth 10-1116.

Touchdown Aviation (TDA) offers distribution of aircraft components and accessories for Airbus, Boeing 747s and DC-10s and has a large inventory of CF6-50/80 engine parts. Founded in 1982, TDA was strategically based in Amsterdam because the UK market already had many parts trading companies. Julian Marcus, managing director, says that Amsterdam provides opportunity for expansion in MRO due to its central location and good tax conditions. The MRO has been expanding its aircraft teardowns, and therefore has seen an increase of stock of A320 family and Boeing 737 Next-Gen components. During MRO Europe, TDA will announce recently acquired aircraft and will be at Booth 12-841.