Aftermarket Supply Chain Specialists Pursue Innovation, Sustainability

Kuehne + Nagel aircraft in flight
Credit: Kuehne + Nagel

1. Developing Supply Chain Sustainability

Company: Kuehne + Nagel

Product: Worldwide logistics specialist Kuehne + Nagel (K+N) offers a variety of supply-chain management services for aviation, including engine and spare-parts logistics, supplier management and aircraft-on-ground (AOG) support. Its portfolio includes KN EngineChain, a digital aircraft engine logistics tool; KN InteriorChain, an interior refurbishment supply-chain service; and KN SparesChain, a spare-parts logistics and repair service that it says can reduce up to 60% of repair-cycle logistics costs and significantly reduce inventory. K+N is targeting aerospace logistics growth in the Asia-Pacific region and working on initiatives aimed at supply-chain sustainability and electric aircraft battery logistics.

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2. Automating the Supply Chain

Company: Satair

aircraft supply room
Credit: Satair

Product: Airbus subsidiary Satair manages approximately 650 suppliers and provides a range of supply-chain services that it says can improve aircraft uptime and reduce fixed costs. Its Expedited Routine Ordering service guarantees specific delivery lead times, which Satair says serves its customers’ line and base maintenance needs for more than 125,000 parts. It also offers Customized Spare Logistics, Integrated Material Services and Airbus Managed Inventory. Satair says its supply-chain innovations include automated ordering, robotics process automation and machine learning to facilitate supply-chain operations without manual intervention.

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3. Aero-Engine Supply Specialist

Company: Farsound Aviation

aircraft bolt
Credit: Farsound

Product: Farsound Aviation is a UK-based supply-chain specialist focused on the engine MRO segment. It also has locations in North America and Asia, and it soon will expand operations in Europe with a new facility in Spain that will serve as its European hub once it opens in 2023. Farsound offers a variety of supply-chain services, including procurement consolidation, consignment, kitting, warehouse management and line-feed solutions, which it says provide benefits such as reduced costs and inventory. It also offers vending and carousel products that feature consigned stock on a pay-per-use basis, which enable parts to be readily available at a customer’s site to increase productivity and accuracy.

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4. Boeing 737NG USM Support

Company: VSE Aviation

aircraft engine
Credit: VSE Aviation

Product: Headquartered in South Florida, VSE Aviation provides MRO services as well as distribution and supply-chain management for aftermarket parts. Its supply-chain services include AOG support, supply-chain procurement, kitting, planning and logistics services. VSE maintains partnerships with major OEMs such as Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Triumph Group. VSE also is partnered with Southwest Airlines to support the Boeing 737NG platform for end-of-life asset management services. VSE just launched its 737NG used serviceable material program, through which customers can purchase or lease refurbished components.

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5. Digital Data for Distribution

Company: Proponent

aircraft parts warehouse
Credit: Proponent

Product: Proponent is an independent distributor of commercial aircraft parts that operates from 11 global locations. It supports more than 400,000 parts and serves as a stocking distributor to 150 OEMs. Proponent recently added products from Auxitrol, Meggitt, Sensata and Safran. Its supply-chain services include custom kitting, vendor consolidation, consignment, market intelligence and e-commerce via its ProCart digital platform. It also offers intelligent stocking services, through which it applies industry data and historical usage trends to create parts forecasts. In February, Proponent signed an agreement with Joramco at MRO Middle East to support the MRO’s supply of consumables and expendables.

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Lindsay Bjerregaard

Lindsay Bjerregaard is managing editor for Aviation Week’s MRO portfolio. Her coverage focuses on MRO technology, workforce, and product and service news for AviationWeek.com, Aviation Week Marketplace and Inside MRO.