Aircelle Expands its Worldwide Services Presence with a New Parts Distribution Center in China for Airline Operators

BEIJING, February 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

The global services network of Aircelle (Safran) marked a strategic expansion today with the opening of a new parts distribution center in China, which will serve the country's airlines that operate aircraft with the company's jet engine nacelle and thrust reverser products.

Located at Beijing Capital International Airport in its free trade zone, this 400-square-meter warehouse facility is open around the clock to provide spare parts and inventory management - with rapid response capability for urgent aircraft-on-ground services requirements.

"Proximity to the customer is a vital element in Aircelle's services strategy, and our new Beijing distribution center provides a key regional resource for China's dynamic airline industry," said Aircelle Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Vincent Mascré.  "Aircelle will offer a full range of after-sales parts and inventory management, beginning with the servicing of nacelles for Airbus' A330 - which is widely used by Chinese airlines.

This distribution facility builds on Aircelle's already well-established presence in China, which includes an office in Beijing, along with a network of customer support managers and field service representatives - the majority of whom are Chinese.

Aircelle has partnered with SDV, an international leader in logistics and supply chain management, for operation of the Chinese warehouse.  Since 2005, SDV has worked with Aircelle in developing the company's spare parts storage and distribution network for 24-hour-per-day support of airlines around the globe.  With the latest facility at Beijing, this network now covers eight regions around the world, joining locations in Paris, London, New York, Los Angeles, Dubai, Singapore and Sydney.

Aircelle ensures a full range of tailored solutions for its customers, meeting airlines' requirements for reliable, flexible and responsive services that keep their aircraft flying.  The company's offer includes day-to-day technical and logistic support, customer-base located parts, asset management, on-wing support, product enhancement programs, C-Check assistance and nacelle fleet management.

About Aircelle (http://www.aircelle.com)

Aircelle is one of the leading players in the worldwide nacelle market for aircraft engines. A subsidiary of Safran, it employs nearly 3,000 people on seven sites in France, the United Kingdom and Morocco. Aircelle is the only nacelle manufacturer in the world present on all the market segments, from regional and business aircraft to the largest airliners, including the Airbus A380. Aircelle also is developing the worldwide customer support and service activity for nacelles and their components.

About SDV

SDV, a subsidiary of the Bolloré Group, is a global leader in supply chain management ranking among the world's top 10 in transport and logistics with a network of 540 offices in 93 countries.

Our solutions match the complete logistics needs of importers and exporters, upstream and downstream of production: organizing transport, customs and regulatory compliance, logistics, industrial projects and supply chain services. SDV is a specialist in the aerospace and defense industries thanks to more than 30 years of experience and a network of 800 experts who are trained to the technologies specific to this sector, with a presence in over 20 countries all operating within structures which are available 24/7.

SOURCE Aircelle, Safran Group and SDV