Operator Newsletter

Dallas repair center employs LEAN principles to transform operations

With the goal of overhauling and modernizing an aging turbine repair center, LEAN experts at Chromalloy's Dallas, Texas, facility designed a new factory layout and will complete the full transformation early next month. The result will be a retooled 53,000-square-foot component repair center with increased capacity on commercial aerospace work lines.

Tim Ulles, General Manager, said, "The transformation at Dallas has been a collaborative process both internally and with our customers. We solicited input prior to the redevelopment of the factory to ensure its success. Utilizing LEAN tools, including Kaizen events, the goal was to modernize and improve the work flow, performance and quality metrics."

Activities that occurred prior to the plant teardown included work flow and process mapping. Several plant layouts were designed and evaluated before a single layout was developed for the PW4000, V2500, PT6, RB211 and other product lines.

"The result has been very positive," Ulles said. "The new facility layout and LEAN implementation has already measurably improved operational performance - and we expect more improvement in the future."

The facility provides advanced repairs on components including High Pressure Compressor blades and vanes, gas generator cases and compressor stators.

Customers include turbine engine original equipment manufacturers, engine overhaul shops and major airlines.

Tilburg, Netherlands, repair center welcomes business development director

Jeffrey Kraak, a European business leader in the aerospace aftermarket industry, has joined Chromalloy as Head of Business Development at the Tilburg, Netherlands, turbine repair center. Kraak is responsible for long-term growth at the company's European operation, which specializes in component repair and overhaul and serves the major airlines.

He joins the company from Avio-Diepen, where he held several leadership positions including Regional Director for Sales & Business Development and Senior Product Manager. Earlier Kraak held increasingly responsible positions in marketing, contract management, purchasing and engine leasing at StandardAero in Tilburg. Prior to that, he worked for several years at Fokker Aircraft. Kraak began his career serving in the Dutch Army.

Kraak holds a degree in mechanical and electrical engineering.

Aerospace industry veteran joins Chromalloy to lead Arizona business development

Leonard 'Bo' Lump, a long-time aerospace business leader, has joined Chromalloy's Phoenix, Ariz., turbine repair center as Director of Business Development. With expertise in operations, engineering, LEAN and Six Sigma, Lump is accountable for expanding the operation's service portfolio and growing the global customer base.

The operation specializes in auxiliary power unit (APU) and small propulsion and industrial engine repairs and coatings.

Lump brings more than 13 years of success in business development, client engagement, relationship development and sales force management. Most recently he was Business Development Manager at Barnes Aerospace, a global provider of component overhaul and repair.

Earlier he was Director of Business Development and co-founder of MSL Precision, an engineering design and manufacturing service provider. Prior to that, he worked for several years as Director of Business Development, North America, for CDI Aerospace, a provider of technical solutions to the military, aerospace and satellite industries. Earlier he held roles in business development and engineering at Embedded Systems and Electronics.

He began his career in the U.S. Navy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University. He is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt and LEAN Advocate.

Chromalloy, HEICO address 2012 UBM AP&M Expo conference

Tom van der Linden, Chromalloy Vice President, Commercial Aero, and Pat Markham, HEICO Vice President, Technical Services, HEICO Parts Group, addressed the UBM Airline Purchasing & Maintenance Expo in London in early May on trends in the Designated Engineering Representative (DER) and Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) industry during the past year. The panel also covered the regulatory environment and new technologies.

Van der Linden and Markham also covered trends ahead in DER and PMA in the future, including new technologies being implemented to stay ahead of the curve and prognostic and diagnostic tools being employed and developed. The speakers also discussed supporting growth in DER and PMA in rapid-growth regions.