The next time you see the turbofan engines of a Boeing 747 or an Airbus as you peer out an airplane’s passenger cabin window, think about MTU Maintenance Canada and the confidence it instills in the airline companies relying on its quality work.
The British Columbia-based MTU is the North American member of the MTU Maintenance network of companies, the largest independent provider of commercial engine maintenance services worldwide.
Repairs, testing, maintenance and overhauls
Its services in Richmond, at Vancouver International Airport, include checking for hairline cracks in aircraft engine components, testing for optimum engine performance, and maintaining and overhauling engines based on flight-hour agreements.
MTU develops and designs engine modules and parts, and manages supply chains for a variety of airline customers.
The company holds all the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) licences required for the repair and overhaul of the GE CF6-50 and CFMI CFM56-3 aircraft engines. MTU Maintenance Canada maintenance services are approved by the FAA, Transport Canada and other aviation authorities.
Success due to value, quality
“Our success can be attributed to the investments we made into our business, workplace and training. Quality of our product and high value on customer satisfaction are important in making us a top aerospace company,” said Daniel Watson, MTU Maintenance Canada’s Chief Commercial Officer.
“We’ve grown MTU profitably and we are fortunate to be valued by the market and our customers,” said Watson.
A compelling story of growth
A compelling story for MTU in Richmond is the growth of its Accessory Repair Centre (ARC). Watson calls it a small piece of the MTU business which was taken under its wing in 2006.
The division experienced high growth since that time, and from a handful of workers it has grown to more than 110 employees and in excess of $40 million in revenue, expecting to top $50 million next year as it keeps its focus on engine components.
ARC’s 40,000-square-foot home was the former satellite terminal for the 2010 Olympics at YVR.
Recognized as a top exporter and employer
MTU Maintenance Canada, the first MTU affiliate outside Germany, was founded in November 1998. Since 2003, when Canadian Airlines (now Air Canada) sold its minority stake, MTU Maintenance Canada has been a wholly owned affiliate of MTU Aero Engines.
The strong overall growth of MTU in the province was recognized with the BC government’s TOP Exporters Award in 2012. MTU is also listed among the Top 100 employers in BC this year.