TAT Industries Rebranded as Sabena Technics

Brussels-based Sabena Technics is giving its name to TAT Industries, the French company that took it over one year ago. Unveiled in June, the new logo is very close to that of TAT Industries. The 2,400-employee maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) firm is now considering expanding into the Americas.

Christophe Bernardini, the new CEO, recently took the helm from Alain Corbel. The latter is now the chairman of the newly created Supervisory Committee. According to Bernardini, Sabena Technics' name was retained because it is better known internationally. In addition, "technics" has a more technological connotation than "industries."

But TAT's logo was felt to be more clearly linked to air transport. TAT Industries' name is not used any longer anywhere in the company, even at its French bases, Bernardini clarified. The TAT Industries name was chosen in 2001.

A priority for the next 12 months is to address North and South American markets. "During its first year of existence, our sales office in Miami has already signed some contracts in Latin America," Bernardini told Aviation Maintenance. Company executives are now looking at opportunities on the continent. The CEO hinted at the possibility of another takeover. Simultaneously, Sabena Technics will endeavor to broaden its presence in Asia.

Significant investment is underway to grow Sabena Technics' Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-700/800 pool of equipment. "We want to offer more full-support products for narrowbodies," Bernardini said. The company can also now repair and replace A320 landing gears.

Sabena Technics is now hiring mechanics, electricity technicians, sheet metal workers as well as composite-material maintenance technicians. In Brussels airport, where a blaze recently destroyed a maintenance hangar, some activity is being moved into another hangar, which was unused. Additional investment is going into a new paint facility.

Sabena Technics has maintenance hangars in Dinard (in Britanny, with a capacity of 11 regional and narrowbody aircraft), N�mes (in southern France, four narrowbody and widebody aircraft) and Brussels (12 narrowbody and widebody aircraft). Company revenues are close to EUR300 million ($360 million). Europe accounts for 82 percent of their revenues. -- By Thierry Dubois

Landmark's Norman Garren Receives Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award

Norman L. Garren, director of maintenance for Landmark Aviation's Part 135 certificate, has received the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award. "Norman Garren is a shining example to people in all fields of aviation," said Carolyn Blum, regional administrator of the FAA's Southern Region. "His professionalism and dedication over the past 50 years are a true inspiration to all of us."

The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is named in honor of Charles Taylor, who designed and built the engine for the 1903 Wright Flyer, the first aircraft to achieve heavier-than-air flight. He is recognized as the world's first airplane mechanic.

"I'm deeply honored to receive this prestigious award," Garren said. "It means a lot to me to be recognized for a lifetime of work in aviation."

Garren, based at Landmark's Winston-Salem, NC, operation, began his career in June 1956 at A&H Flying Service in Asheville, NC. He has been an employee of Landmark Aviation and its predecessor companies since April 1974, starting out as a junior mechanic at the company's Roanoke, VA, facility, at that time Piedmont Aviation.

Garren served in several management positions at Piedmont Aviation and Piedmont Hawthorne, including manager of aircraft maintenance, director of aircraft services, and director of quality assurance. As director of maintenance for Landmark Aviation's Part 135 charter operation, he has been responsible for placing and maintaining more than 200 aircraft of various makes and models on the Part 135 certificate.

To become eligible for the FAA award a maintenance technician has to have 50 documented years of service in the aviation industry working on aircraft registered in the United States. The time may be any combination of civil and military service. The technician has to have been certified as a repairman or technician for at least 30 of the 50 years. Since its inception in 1990, there have been approximately 455 Charles Taylor awards presented nationwide and only 19 in North Carolina.

Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico Form Maintenance Partnership

Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico have reached a tentative agreement to form a maintenance partnership through which the airlines' maintenance divisions, Delta TechOps and Aeromexico Maintenance and Engineering, will jointly market and perform maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for maintenance customers worldwide.

"This new partnership will leverage the unique capabilities of both MRO providers," said Tony Charaf, senior vice president--Technical Operations, Delta. "Not only will customers continue to benefit from Delta TechOps' proven experience in engine, component and airframe maintenance, they can add heavy airframe maintenance to that list--via our partners at Aeromexico--providing our customers with true nose-to-tail capabilities," Charaf said.

In addition, Delta and Aeromexico will expand their current maintenance relationship. Through separate agreements, Delta TechOps will become the exclusive maintenance provider for Aeromexico's fleet of CFM56-7 engines and 131-9B auxiliary power units (APU), and Aeromexico will become the exclusive heavy maintenance provider for Delta's MD-88 fleet.

"One of the most outstanding points derived from the agreement is the fact that for the first time ever a Mexican carrier will serve as the exclusive major maintenance service provider for 120 airplanes in a U.S. carrier's fleet," said Aeromexico CEO Andr�s Conesa.

The first Delta MD-88 was scheduled to go Guadalajara in July.