NEWS - Manufacturing

Oct 10, 2011 – Gulfstream’ s leadership team is in Las Vegas this week for the National Business Aviation Association Meeting & Convention. According to Larry Flynn, the company’s new president, the company is encouraged by worldwide sales results and has decided to open a new office in Hong Kong.

Flynn told the media covering the event that the company “had been sustained in a challenging market by international orders and has continued to grow and invest throughout the period.” International markets are the key drivers behind that growth, Flynn said, noting that 70 percent of orders in the past year were from outside North America.

Flynn became president on Sept. 1, succeeding Joe Lombardo, who continues to oversee Gulfstream and Jet Aviation as executive vice president of Aerospace for General Dynamics, Gulfstream’s parent company.

“Businesses that were once regional are now global,” Flynn said,” and their leaders need long-range transportation. They recognize Gulfstream as the leader in technology, performance and product support; and that has translated into strong sales.”

The company has an $18 billion backlog as of October 1, which grew by more than $400 million in the second quarter. The delivery window for most products is an 18-24 month “sweet spot,” according to Flynn. G650 orders extend into 2017.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. also announced today that the company will invest $20 million to expand its service center at the Barnes Regional Airport in Westfield, MA.to build a 100,000 sq. ft. maintenance facility adjacent to the company’s existing 85,000-square-foot one.

The growth is expected to result in 100 additional Gulfstream jobs, a nearly 80 percent increase over the current Gulfstream Westfield workforce.

“In the second quarter, we had the largest number of orders for new aircraft since the economic downturn began,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream Product Support. “At the same time, flying hours have increased, resulting in record-setting service demand. This expansion is part of our long-range plan to ensure our service network remains well-positioned to serve our customers and our growing installed fleet, especially in the heavily traveled Northeast corridor.”

Gulfstream announced the expansion in the presence of its employees as well as state and local dignitaries, including Gov. Deval Patrick.

“Our focus at the moment is to complete two certification programs, for the G650 and G280. We’re on track to do that and deliver on time as promised,” Flynn said. “We are also intently focused on ensuring a smooth entry-into-service for both products and are positioning people and resources accordingly.”

Gulfstream is on track for green deliveries of 80 large-cabin models and 15-20 mid-cabin models. In addition, the company plans to make green deliveries this year of 10 to 12 of its new G650 ultra-long-range jet.

The Gulfstream Product Support organization, which continues to receive category-leading marks by industry publications, is expanding to keep pace with the fleet, with new facilities or expansions accomplished or announced for Savannah; Westfield, Mass.; Luton, England; Madrid; Singapore; and elsewhere.

“We are acutely aware that superior service and support sells airplanes, and we will continue to devote all the resources necessary to lead in this area,” said Flynn.

Gulfstream has more than 11,500 employees worldwide today. Growth has come in all sectors of the company – especially production, engineering and product support.

“About a year ago we announced a $500 million, seven-year facilities expansion program,” remarked Flynn. “We said we would add 1,000 jobs over that period. Since then we have added more than 1,300.”

To support the international sales focus, Gulfstream has expanded its service commitment to Asian operators with the opening of a Product Support office in Hong Kong.

The 800-square-foot office is located in the modern Citygate complex in the Tung Chung section of Hong Kong, conveniently located near Hong Kong International Airport.  Paul Lu, director, Gulfstream Product Support Asia, and James Liang, international distribution manager for parts and materials, are based in this centralized location, near customers arriving to and departing from one of Asia’s business hubs.

“Having management in Hong Kong who can speak Mandarin and Cantonese is critical to our operators in Asia,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream Product Support.  “It enables us to communicate more effectively and respond to our customers faster.  This office, which is 10 minutes from Hong Kong’s busiest airport, gives us an excellent location from which we can continue to maintain aircraft, troubleshoot and support ongoing growth.”

Lu is involved in all aspects of Gulfstream Product Support, including helping operators within and transitioning through Asia.  The 15-year company employee also supports new aircraft sales, materials, certifications and Gulfstream’s relationship with the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Liang, who has been based in Hong Kong since June 2010, manages more than $40 million in parts inventory spread over locations in Hong Kong and Singapore.

The Gulfstream Product Support team in Asia also includes five field service representatives, who respond to the maintenance needs of operators based in, or passing through, their home base.  Danny Allen and James Albritton are in Hong Kong, while Jenson Saw is located in Beijing, and Mark Moss and Tracy Waters are based in Singapore.

Along with Saw, Gulfstream’s presence in Beijing consists of five technician consultants based at business-jet charter operator Deer Jet Co. LTD.  Deer Jet operates one of the largest Gulfstream fleets in the world.

Facility-wise, the Gulfstream Product Support network in Asia consists of authorized warranty repair centers Metrojet in Hong Kong and Gulfstream sister company Jet Aviation in Singapore, along with warranty line-service center Jamco Corp. in Sendai, Japan.  Metrojet and Jet Aviation have parts and materials for Gulfstream aircraft on site.