May 8 (SeeNews) - Germany's MTU Aero Engines said it is expanding its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) network to Serbia where it plans to build a new repair facility.
MTU Aero Engines and the Serbian government signed on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding, opening the way for investment in a new plant in the Belgrade region, the German company said in a statement. The new plant is expected to become operational in 2022.
“The commercial MRO business is increasing continuously and the new repair facility will be a key component of our growth strategy," MTU's chief programme officer, Michael Schreyogg, said. "Establishing additional capacity in Serbia will best position MTU to provide competitive services to the global market.”
Schreyogg also said that MTU's site will form the core of a future aerospace cluster, promoting the need for vocational training and the development of high-tech aerospace competences.
MTU said it has selected Serbia for this project after carefully considering several sites across Europe.
“We welcome the general decision of MTU to rely on Serbia for this major investment,” Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic said.
MTU performs some 1.9 million repair hours per year at its existing facilities with MRO for commercial aircraft engines being a key sector for the company. The planned site in Serbia is expected to add another 400,000 repair hours annually. It will also provide more flexibility and strengthen MTU's global competitiveness.
MTU Aero Engines produces low-pressure turbines, high-pressure compressors, turbine center frames as well as manufacturing processes and repair techniques. It says that around 30% of today’s active aircraft in service worldwide have its components on board, adding it is among the top five service providers for commercial aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines.
The company is also the main partner of the German military services in the aerospace sector.