Thales’ newly expanded facility in Changi consolidates all avionics production and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) activities under one roof for better synergies and process optimization. Thales has also invested in equipment and human capital, as it builds for future growth.
Thales started its commercial avionics operations in Singapore over forty years ago and now produces key systems for the Airbus A320, A350 and Boeing 787 fleets. Singapore houses one of three avionics repair sites for the Group, with the other two located in Chatellerault, France and Piscataway, USA.
In the past year, Thales in Singapore has grown its repair volume by over 30%. In addition to providing repair operations, Thales is also providing a Customer Support Centre (CSC) for Diehl’s Singaporean subsidiary, set up in November last year to better serve its regional customers. The CSC has been operational since 1st January 2017 at the expanded Thales facility in Changi North Rise.
The widened scope of the extended partnership increases Thales’ repair volume in Singapore to an estimated 40,000 pieces of equipment per year, making Singapore the Group’s largest center for avionics maintenance and repair services worldwide.
The aerospace industry in Singapore has seen robust growth over the last two decades, and Singapore is home to one of the most advanced MRO clusters in the world. Singapore accounts for a quarter of the region’s MRO output and Thales worked closely with the Singapore Economic Development Board in bringing the project to fruition.
This expanded facility underscores the importance of Singapore as a regional hub for the Group, as it aims to grow local capabilities and establish a strong regional base to serve customers in the Asia-Pacific region.
“The expanded Thales facility is testament of the commitment Thales has in contributing to Singapore’s aerospace eco-system as it builds capacity and innovates for the future. We look forward to working closely with our partners in the years ahead as Singapore strives to make its aerospace and avionics industries future-ready,” said Eric Huber, Thales Vice President and General Manager for Avionics Services Worldwide activities.
Thales has been in Singapore since 1973 and is today involved in the four main business areas of Aerospace, Defense, Security and Transportation. Employing over 600 people, Thales has built industrial capabilities in avionics production and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) to support regional airlines from Singapore.
In Avionics, the Singapore MRO site employs over 120 people, and has strong capabilities in repair for avionics, electrical systems and In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) equipment on a wide range of aircraft types.
Diehl Aerosystems is a corporate division of Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG and covers all aerospace activities of the Diehl Group. With its business units Diehl Aerospace (a joint venture with Thales), Diehl Aircabin, Diehl Comfort Modules, Diehl Service Modules and AOA, Diehl Aerosystems is a leading systems supplier for avionics and cabin solutions.
Diehl Aerosystems currently employs more than 4,700 staff. Amongst its customers are leading aircraft manufacturers (OEMs), such as Airbus (both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters), Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer, as well as airlines and other operators of commercial and business aircraft.
