Fokker merges maintenance- and service companies
Hoogerheide, September 20th 2011
Fokker Aircraft Services and Fokker Services merge and will continue as Fokker Services. This is announced today by the boards of both companies. The new organization will be able to operate more effectively and competitively on the international market of aircraft- and components maintenance. At the moment the aircraft maintenance company has personell costs which are structurally too high , and therefore cannot compete in the international market. The companies jointly submitted a so called request for advice with the Workers Council with regard to the integration. As part of the plan approximately 60 jobs will be lost. The Fokker companies will do their utmost to find employment for these people within the the company in view of the large demand for people in other subsidiaries.
The merger arises from market developments. The number of Fokker aircraft which fly in Europe decreases every year, which means that the maintenance on these aircraft in Europe also decreases. Furthermore the competition in the aircraft maintenance sector has increased, particularly out of low-wage countries. In view of the high wage costs in The Netherlands Fokker saw its competitive position deteriorate over the years. The merger entails a reorganization to cope with these problems. Besides the sixty jobs which will disappear in Hoogerheide the package of labor benefits will change for a number of employees.
New future
The new Fokker Services will be able to take a solid position in the international market of aircraft- and components maintenance. Combined both organizations are, like no other company, specialized in the delivery of services for ‘Out of Production Aircraft’. This ‘OPA’ market has a lot of potential, because 70% of the aircraft which still fly have been taken out of production. The company focuses, besides on Fokker aircraft, on the maintenance of types of Bombardier, the F16 and the NH90. Furthermore it focuses on the still growing market of Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.
In the sector of ‘conversion, completion and refurbishments’ Fokker Services sees growing possibilities. Finally the parts maintenance- and repair business (CMRO), will further penetrate the external market with a view to the work for non-Fokker parts.
Jeroen Koot, president of Fokker Aircraft Services, comments on the intended adjustments: “In a new organization, the new company can find the road to growth with a clear positioning, more efficiency and flexibility, more effective complement and a structurally lower cost price. There are sufficient opportunities, as long as we can work competitively”.
About Fokker Aircraft Services
Fokker Aircraft Services (FAS) specializes in the maintenance, modification and conversion of commercial, private and military aircraft on behalf of operators the world over. With a staff based at its Woensdrecht, Netherlands headquarters, FAS serves the operators and owners of Fokker, Boeing and Airbus aircraft. It also maintains the aircraft of national and international armed forces.
Fokker Aircraft Services is a company of Fokker Technologies, which develops and produces advanced components and systems for the aerospace and defence industry, and supplies integrated maintenance services and products to aircraft owners and operators. In 2010 the group achieved a turnover of € 616 million with 3,700 employees.