GlobalParts.aero (Booth 3133) is finishing up a year of significant expansion of new business and capabilities, spurred in part by a year-old agreement for the Augusta, Kansas-based company to take over parts distribution of Learjet 20-, 30- and 50-series aircraft.
That agreement, announced during last year’s NBAA convention in Las Vegas, resulted in the addition of more than 32,000 Learjet specific parts numbers, bringing the company’s total number of specific part numbers stocked to more than 130,000.
In the first year alone, the business has led to more than 25,000-Learjet specific shipments, said Malissa Nesmith, GlobalParts.aero senior v-p and COO. “It’s been a busy year,” Nesmith said. Not only has the program meant an increase in distribution business, but it has led to the addition of other new product lines to support the Learjet operators, as well as different overhaul and repair capabilities, she said.
GlobalParts.aero has been able to accommodate the new parts at its existing 100,000-sq-ft warehouse, along with an additional 15,000 sq ft of storage space that it has at its existing warehouse. But the company has brought on board more sales and planning staff, as well as technical support. It also has enhanced its infrastructure with parts ordering online and 24/7 availability for customers. And it now is offering a rental pool at customer requests. “The changes we’ve made internally to adapt to this program… have not only benefitted the Learjet operators, but all other operators that we support as well,” she said.
The program also is leading the company to look to expand internationally. While still in early stages, Nesmith noted that GlobalParts.aero has been in talks to expand its partnerships. “After adding the 24/7 support, the next logical progression would be to have parts in locations available for that support,” she said.
In addition to the Learjet parts, the company this year has placed an increased focus on personal safety product lines. The safety equipment, which is not necessarily aircraft specific, expands GlobalParts.aero’s reach to offer fire containment bags, oxygen systems, first aid kits, life vests, life rafts, goggles, fire extinguishers and fire-suppression kits. These include announcements in recent months for the distribution of the Baker Hot-Stop L fire containment kits and Avox Systems/Zodiak Oxygen Systems oxygen masks.
This expansion into personal protective equipment (PPE) “gives us a very well rounded product offering,” said Brad Vieux, GlobalParts.aero v-p of business development and international relations. “We’ve always had the wheels, the brakes and other rotables. But we really didn’t cater to the PPE equipment that people need. It makes sense for us to become more of a one-stop shop for everyone.”
Nesmith added that this expansion comes as operators become more aware of a need for PPE. “With what’s happening in today’s world with the threat of lithium-battery fires and personal [device] charger fires, people are more cautious of the safety aspect of it right now. This is why we are seeing an uptick in demand. We want to make sure we have the lines availability to support those needs.”
Beyond its distribution business, Nesmith noted that its maintenance repair and overhaul business has been growing “on a very nice trajectory.” She added that this business has “a lot more potential as we continue to add capabilities. We are just a couple of years into the structural overhaul and repair and are rapidly moving into expanded capabilities.”
To that end, the company’s GlobalParts Aero Structures unit on Wiley Post Airport in Bethany, Okla., recently signed an agreement with its neighbor on the field, Turbine Aircraft Services (TAS) to enable full removal, repair and reinstallation services. “We’ve had the repair capabilities, but this is the first time we’ve partnered with a shop that can do the removal. It made sense for us,” she said.
Nesmith also has seen growth in the company’s manufacturing business, which supports in-production aircraft. This business also, however, has given it the capability to do one-off production for certain out-of-production parts or specific situations.
“This has really been a growth year for us,” she said of the now 13-year-old company. “That trend will continue into next year as well.”
GlobalParts.com is coming into this year’s NBAA with an election theme, with a “campaign” highlighting its support of an “American icon” – the legacy Learjets. The company is holding daily drawings for fire containment bags for attendees who use the #voteglobalparts on its social media outlets, or drop a business card by Booth 3133.
