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Aeroframe started its operations in 2000 as EADS Aeroframe Services which was a joint venture of EADS and Northrop Grumman Corporation. The company was formed as the North American Service Center for Airbus Aircraft and is located at Chennault International Airpark. Between 2000 and 2005, the company invested heavily in Airbus tooling, scaffolding and workforce development. This included sending managers and technicians for extensive training on Airbus airframes in Toulouse and Bordeaux, France. In early 2005, EADS and Northrop Grumman decided to exit the MRO business to focus on their OEM production lines and the company was purchased by private investors on August 1, 2005. After the acquisition, the company continued to invest in infrastructure. Approximately $10 million in infrastructure has been invested or committed through 2008. This is in addition to over $20 million that was used to rebuild and modernize the facility after Hurricane Rita. The company also continued its development of the workforce. 100% of our technicians are trained on Airbus airframes as well as airline specific training by Airbus operators. Our apprentice program is 18 months long and includes 6 weeks of classrooom and lab training by experienced instructors which is followed by 16 months of on the job training. In the classroom, apprentices learn specific skills such as structures, systems and interiors as well as learn how to read blueprints, complete paperwork and interpret technical manuals. In 2007, Aeroframe introduced a piece-rate or performance based pay system for its hourly technicians which was adopted and modified by the automobile repair industry. This system, once implemented, improved productivity by almost 40% and dramatically increased technician pay without sacraficing quality and performance to our customers. Since the acquisition, the company has experienced an astounding 50% annual compounded growth in sales and employment and expects 20% compounded growth in the coming years. It has slowly accumulated an impressive infrastructure, a comprehensive inventory of tooling and a well trained and highly motivated workforce. These components collectively ensure that Aeroframe can provide quality maintenance at a reasonable price to current and future customers for years to come. |
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