ISKANDAR PUTERI: A global aerospace company has set up a service and research facility in Johor's Nusajaya Technology Park with an investment of US$35 million.

Hence, GKN Aerospace now operates seven facilities in Asia, delivering aerostructures, engine systems, wiring systems and transparencies in China, India, Malaysia and Turkey.

Its president of engines systems, Joakim Andersson, said the new facility would service its customers in the Asia-Pacific region, which is a big market for the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry.

"The facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Its proximity to our customers is also an advantage for us," said Andersson.  

The facility will focus on servicing engine low-pressure compressor (LPC) components. It will also conduct research that is centred on the application of additive manufacturing technology into engine parts repair.

GKN Aerospace currently has 90 employees at the new facility, which began operation in 2020, and is set to grow to 150 employees in 2023.

"We expect demand for the MRO service in Asia to increase because a lot of the aircraft repair and refurbishment works had to be delayed or postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic," said Andersson.

He said this after the opening of the facility by International Trade and Industry deputy minister Datuk Lim Ban Hong. Also present were state Investment, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Lee Ting Han and Sweden's Ambassador to Malaysia Joachim Bergstrom.

Lee said GKN Aerospace's presence in Johor was in line with the state government's efforts to create an aerospace industry cluster.

"There are currently four aerospace industry players with facilities here and another four in Senai," said Lee.

"GKN Aerospace will also provide on-the-job training for its employees, 90 per cent of which are local. This will make them more competitive in the job market," said Lee.