LIEBHERR-Aerospace Singapore is increasing its investment in the Republic to offer new maintenance services and technology in response to its airline customers' evolving needs arising from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

An important part of the new development is the capability to renew and overhaul components of the air-conditioning system in airplanes which has become an extremely essential part of commercial aircraft to generate confidence in people to continue travelling by air. In the past some of these parts had to be sent overseas for maintenance.

"In the wake of a significant drop in global commercial aviation operations caused by Covid-19, the entire industry sector was badly hit. However, in preparation for a post-crisis recovery, we started early to develop specific initiatives for our customers, and - as a first step - moved meetings, seminars and technical support to virtual and online formats," says Mr Ekkehard Pracht, general manager, Liebherr-Aerospace Singapore, which is a sister company of Germany's Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH, with more than 30 years' presence in the Republic.

In preparation for a future re-activation of aircraft, its engineers have developed solutions in anticipation of the specific airline support needs once their aircraft come out of storage. Meanwhile, it was able to acquire new customers; and the pandemic has even accelerated the development of new service solutions such as:

• Digitalisation of business processes, including the going live of a new interactive customer portal (service platform); and

• Development of smart digital solutions allowing the monitoring of the condition of components (health management) during customer operation.

Says Mr Pracht: "Many airlines' decision to retire permanently significant parts of their fleets will have a tremendous impact on the industrial landscape. One of the already visible market trends will be the increased availability of pre-owned components called USM - Used Serviceable Material. Liebherr has developed a dedicated service concept to manage this, helping airlines to optimise their operational costs while maintaining the current high level of service and product quality."

The group continues to follow its global strategy of reliable business partnerships as a basis for long term growth. Currently, the path to a more efficient, reliable and safe aviation industry takes us straight to digitisation. "For companies like us, optimising maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) through innovative digital solutions can help not only to bring down costs but also to reduce the environmental impact of the activity," Mr Pracht says.

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"Engaging in a framework that uses the power of digital tools to enable exploration, adaptation and, in some cases, the development of technologies to streamline operations and improve efficiencies across functions is key."

He says that the EDB was instrumental in enabling Liebherr-Singapore to launch two major investment projects in 2020. "The resulting significant expansion of our service portfolio will be a key element for further advancement of our role as a key service and logistic hub for the economic powerhouse APAC, thus remaining part of Singapore's strategic development initiatives."

Liebherr Singapore - which has 250 staff, last year had a turnover of 131 million euros (S$217 million) of which the Singapore-based aerospace activities were a major part.

"A prominent part of our role is that of an interface, ensuring seamless access of our regional customers to the full scope of our network's service offerings and - vice versa - feeding customer experience back into the company," Mr Pracht says.

For instance, when the Airbus A380 and Airbus A350 were launched, Asian airlines were among the first to fly them - Singapore Airlines for the A380 and Vietnam Airlines for the A350. Liebherr-Aerospace service engineers were assigned from Singapore to support the airlines at their main base during the early weeks and months to help with the operation of a completely new type and generation of aircraft.

Mr Pracht says the main focus of the company's R&D activities in Singapore is on development and expansion of its technologies and service abilities. Close collaboration with other Liebherr sites as well as with local research institutes and strong support by EDB are other significant key elements of this strategic approach aiming at creating opportunities for advancement and investment, as well as for development of staff skills and generating potential for new employment, he adds.