Bombardier Aerospace today officially inaugurated its high-volume 4,650-square-meter (50,000-square-foot) aircraft parts distribution facility in Frankfurt, offering operators of Bombardier business jets and regional airliners improved local parts availability, delivery and service quality.
Strategically located near Frankfurt International Airport – which offers the greatest number of direct flights throughout Europe – the newly built facility is capable of storing approximately 40,000 unique parts. The bonded warehouse, which began shipping service parts in August 2005, serves as a central distribution centre with direct shipments around the clock to customers in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
It is the second new facility opened within the last three weeks designed to provide customers with improved levels of parts support in their region. ExecuJet Aviation Group and Bombardier Aerospace publicly inaugurated a service facility and spare parts depot in Dubai, UAE, on November 19.
“Over the past 20 months, we’ve made a significant investment in systems and infrastructure to provide our customers with an industry-leading level of service,” said Desmond Bell, vice-president, parts logistics, Bombardier Aerospace.
“The inauguration of the Frankfurt parts distribution hub is the latest milestone in our commitment to ensuring that Bombardier aircraft are always mission-ready, and this initiative is a major step in our drive to ensure our customers get the right part, in the right place, at the right time.”
Parts continue to arrive daily at the Frankfurt facility from Bombardier Aerospace’s worldwide distribution center in Chicago, Illinois, and its existing European facilities in Paris and London. Once the new distribution center reaches full capacity in January 2006, it is expected to ship over 250 order lines per day. It currently employs 30 fulltime personnel.
The Frankfurt facility, together with the Chicago operation, form the nucleus of Bombardier Aerospace’s significantly re-designed parts logistics network. Located near Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, another of the world’s busiest hubs, Bombardier Aerospace’s primary super warehouse accelerates direct shipments worldwide.
Both warehouses are managed under a long-term contract with Caterpillar Logistics Services Inc., which provides world-class supply chain solutions and services to more than 50 leading corporations worldwide.
“We’re working closely with Bombardier Aerospace to roll out an integrated worldwide supply chain, utilizing our world-class people and processes, enabled by SAP systems,” commented Wayne Tessier, vice-president, Caterpillar Logistics, EAME Division. “The Frankfurt facility, combined with the Chicago location will enable Cat Logistics to support Bombardier in providing for scheduled and unscheduled customers’ service requirements for every Bombardier Aerospace business and regional aircraft model anywhere in the world.”
Together with these two distribution centers, Bombardier has four international parts depots for business jets located in Montreal, Sydney, Singapore and, most recently, in Dubai. A fifth depot in Sao Paulo, Brazil, will open early 2006. Bombardier Regional aircraft maintains a spare parts depot in Beijing, China, to support operators in that market.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from regional aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2005, were $15.8 billion US and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.
Bombardier is a trademark of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
For information
Leo Knaapen
Manager, Communications
514-969-6181
leo.knaapen@aero.bombardier.com