Forward, Summer 2016 Issue

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Summer 2016 Q Forward Magazine
AAR and RFD On Time and On
Budget with Largest American
Based MRO Operator
ROCKFORD, IL – By the time you read this, AAR Corp. and
the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) will have opened
a $40 million Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, the
biggest of its kind in North America, allowing for some of the world’s
largest aircraft to be serviced efficiently and effectively in the heart of
the Midwest. RFD is especially proud that this enormous project will
be completed on time and on budget, bringing an initial 500 jobs to a
region that is ripe for employment and serving as an example of RFD’s
continued commitment to the cargo industry. The project’s 52,000 bolts;
1,000 tons of steel; 200,000 sq. feet of PVC; and twin hangar complex
makes this one of the largest pre-engineered structures of its kind.
The MRO facility is expected to operate 24 hours a day and will
service next-generation, wide-body aircraft. This will allow for
scheduled and unscheduled service, modification and overhaul
and all other support services for cargo, passenger and military
aircraft. “AAR has been a tremendous addition to RFD and the
Rockford region,” says RFD’s Executive Director Mike Dunn. “The
500 skilled workers will soon enjoy natural light in ideal working
conditions and our cargo customers will have an ideal location for
distribution and maintenance.”
In collaboration with RFD, Sept. 16, 2015, Rock Valley College
opened a $5.1 million aviation maintenance training center to
better serve the region’s aerospace industry and send students
directly from the college right to the MRO. In some instances,
students will be able to begin their path to aviation professional
in ninth grade in the local school system and end up on the
tarmac at RFD after graduation. “RFD’s new facility is changing
the educational and business landscape not only of the airport
grounds, but the region,” says Ken Ryan, Director of Business
Development and Cargo, RFD
The Rockford region is a prominent hub of aerospace activity
and aviation manufacturing in the country, boasting more than
200 aerospace-related companies and is home to a critical mass
of tier-one aerospace suppliers including Boeing, Woodward,
UTC Aerospace Systems and GE Aviation. The region’s rate of
manufacturing employment is twice the national average, with
more than 80 percent of Illinois’ aerospace workforce located in
the Rockford area. In addition, the Rockford region’s logistics
infrastructure is a global asset. Rockford, as part of the Chicagoland
area, is recognized as a “best logistics site” for connectivity due to
its air, rail, road, information technology & low cost of operations
according to the Rockford Area Economic Development Council.
“This one-of-a-kind building is truly mammoth as an MRO facility,”
says Dan Roskowski, President of the project’s architectural firm,
Larson & Darby. “It’s impressive from the inside and practical for all
kinds of repair.” The region’s noted supply chain, which supports all
aspects of the aerospace cluster including manufacturing, assembly,
maintenance, repair and overhaul services, warehousing and
distribution, was also a strong factor.
According to the Illinois Governor’s office, AAR chose Rockford
due to its central geographical location, highly- trained workforce,
cost effectiveness and access to a robust warehouse and distribution
network. The round-the-clock facility will greatly expand the
airport’s infrastructure and prove to be a game-changer for the
region and those companies taking advantage of the facility.
RFD is the second largest hub in North America for UPS and has
a 10,002 ft. primary runway with a CAT III ILS. The very modern
72,000 sq. ft. International Cargo Handling Facility on-site will
become available in September 2016.
AIT Worldwide Logistics’ Kansas
City Office Relocates to New
Historic Downtown Address
ITASCA, IL – AIT Worldwide Logistics’ office in Kansas City,
Missouri has opened the doors at a new location effective today. The
facility is situated in Kansas City’s historic Garment District, an area
of downtown that has been revitalized with thriving businesses in
recent years.
According to Station Manager David Niday, AIT-Kansas City’s recent
growth necessitated the move. With eight times the square footage
of the previous location, the downtown office will accommodate the
larger team being hired on to handle the influx of new business.
“This building is a landmark and has a nostalgic feel,” said Niday,
“The interior boasts a modern open floor plan and as we continue to
grow, there’s additional space above our floor to expand further.”
Ray Fennelly, Executive Vice President at AIT said, “We extend
our congratulations to the AIT-Kansas City team as they relocate
to their new home in the market. This move is a testament to their
many successes over the last several years. We look forward to their
continued growth and support of our Kansas City-area customers.”
The new AIT-Kansas City office is in the heart of the downtown area
with immediate access to four major highways. The facility is just a
20 minute drive from the Kansas City International Airport.
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