Company’s First International Service Center Plays Important Role In Product Support Network

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its service center at London Luton Airport in the United Kingdom. The facility, located at one of Europe’s business aviation hubs, was the company’s first international service center. “We moved to Luton in 2003 because of the skilled employees available there and its prime location in relationship to our installed fleet,” said Larry Flynn, president, Gulfstream. “As our fleet continues to expand internationally, Gulfstream Luton will continue as a vital part of our world-class service and support network.”

Within a year of acquiring the operation, which is located 30 miles north of London, Luton’s hangar space doubled to 56,000 square feet. Facility expansion led to employee growth, and by the close of 2007, Gulfstream Luton had nearly 100 employees, up from 40 in 2003.
 
In October 2011, Gulfstream Luton relocated to its current home, a larger, more modern hangar and accompanying office space. The 75,000-square-foot hangar can accommodate 10 to 12 aircraft, depending on the mix of large-cabin and mid-cabin models. Gulfstream’s fleet in Europe, the Middle East and Africa has grown to more than 340 aircraft. Adjacent to the hangar is a 10,000-square-foot parts and materials warehouse, which opened in May 2011. It is currently stocked with more than $40 million in inventory.
 
Gulfstream Luton, today with nearly 190 employees, has been under the direction of general manager Sumi Fonseka since May 2008. The facility is a certified EASA and FAA repair station and EASA Part 21 design organization, which includes installation and repair capability for avionics and interiors. The facility also holds 13 other civil aviation authority approvals, including authorizations to work on Gulfstream aircraft registered in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Tanzania and Turkey.

Gulfstream’s other major presence in the U.K. is a sales and design center in the Mayfair section of London. The 5,500-square-foot/511-square-meter center includes a showroom filled with leather, veneer, fabric and carpet selections along with conference rooms and customer offices. Gulfstream’s other international service centers are in Beijing and Sorocaba, Brazil.

FMI: www.gulfstream.com