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Safran Landing Systems achieves its first year goal in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Business

June 28, 2016

A year ago, in May 2015, MBD Wheel and Brake Repair and Services - a Safran Landing Systems company - opened a new facility in Bethlehem, PA to better support its East Coast customers. MBD Wheel and Brake Repair and Services is a provider of aircraft wheel and brake repair and overhaul services for commercial airlines, low-cost carriers and aircraft part providers. Since then, the company has added substantial customers, signed a long-term agreement with a  major carrier  and nearly tripled its workforce.

The 30,000 square foot new facility is located at 181 Mikron Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020 and currently employs 19 people. The location is ideally situated to serve the growing demand from 8 major East Coast airports.

“Bethlehem is a perfect location to service our customers at multiple airports. Being situated close to our customers allows us to serve them efficiently, minimizing freight costs and turnaround time for all the companies involved,” said Goran Vukovic, CFO, MBD Wheel and Brake Repair and Services. “We have hired qualified staff within the community and we will continue to create jobs locally as the company expands,” he added.

The Bethlehem site is one of three Safran Landing Systems facilities dedicated to wheel and brake MRO activities in the USA, the other two being located Miami, Florida and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With three hubs located in the East, South East and in the Mid-West, the company is currently able to competitively serve customers that are based in those corridors.  MBD Wheel and Brake Repair and Services is considering expanding its presence to serve other potential customers based in hubs located in western states.

MBD Wheel and Brake Repair and Services receives around 20,000 work orders a year for its wheel and brake activities, all fulfilled within its three U.S. locations.

With several hundred employees dedicated to MRO activities for aircraft equipment and systems at the above mentioned locations as well as in California, Florida, Indiana, Texas, Safran is a key player in this market.

“Safran is proud of its track record of organic growth and sustained profitability while delivering tailored services to our customers,” said Mike Buckley, President, MBD Wheels and Brakes Repair and Services. “At the same time, we are forward-focused and continue to deliver substantial additional value to our customers and innovation to the industry.”

Through an investment of nearly $3 billion over the past few years, Safran has expanded its presence in the United States with the opening of new sites and the acquisition of new businesses and programs, illustrating the Group’s long-term commitment to the U.S.