Boeing's Asia-Pacific Service Center

With the Asia-Pacific region a long-time stronghold for Boeing aircraft, it should be no surprise that the manufacturer operates an avionics service center in Singapore for Boeing-built cockpit systems, which account for about 25% of the dollar value of avionics on Boeing aircraft.

Approximately one-half of the work Boeing does at its Singapore facility is for 777 aircraft. The majority of the products it supports in Singapore generally fall into the categories of cabin systems, flight surface control electronics, warning systems, and flight deck control panels. This shop performs repair work for virtually all the operators of Boeing aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region. This includes Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, India and Mauritius.

"More 777's will continue to be delivered into Asia in the coming years, and the Singapore facility will be the main hub in Asia for Boeing 777 avionics repair," said Mark McCurley, manager of the Boeing Asia-Pacific Service Center. "Our five-day average turnaround time makes our service very attractive."
Boeing shares its Loyang Aviation Park facility with Rockwell Collins Southeast Asia Pte., and has a unique arrangement with the avionics OEM.

"Boeing has a contract with Rockwell Collins to supply technical personnel and quality services," McCurley explained. "Boeing trains the Rockwell technicians who repair Boeing products. Boeing provides all test equipment, parts, technical support (and) training. Since Rockwell personnel perform and inspect the work, the repaired parts are released under Rockwell's certification. The excellent working relationship between Boeing and Rockwell has been a benefit to both companies for many years."

Both companies feed off each other, and their joint quality initiatives have resulted in superior turnaround times.

"We consistently provide a five calendar-day average turntime, and complete 90% to 95% of all repairs within 10 days," said McCurley. "To obtain this we have worked on several aspects of the process including workshop flow, regular training, on-site technical support, rapid support from Boeing-Seattle engineers, large on-site supply of spare parts, and expedited supply of spares parts from the USA. Some customers have rated us as their number one supplier in terms of service."

McCurley said Boeing has no plans for expansion of the Singapore facility or of the type of work that's done there. However, it does plan to acquire an additional automatic test system in early 2002 to handle the increasing 777 workload. And it will continue to add repair capability for any new avionics products that Boeing develops for existing aircraft, as well as for new models that may be introduced to this region, such as the Sonic Cruiser

By Barry Rosenberg