WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.,14 July 2020. Pratt & Whitney, has completed the transformation of its West Palm Beach Engine Center into a fully-capable GTF MRO shop. This investment in West Palm Beach is just the latest example showcasing the continued growth of Pratt & Whitney’s global GTF MRO network to offer more capacity, more capability, and to be closer to its customers.
“This is more than just a shop; this is an investment in the future of our company to be even more customer-focused and customer-driven,” said Mary Anne Cannon, vice president, West Palm Beach Site Development and Operations, Pratt & Whitney. “All of the equipment and systems were designed with adaptability in mind. We took what we learned when we were an OEM shop and made refinements to ensure cost savings, efficiency, reduced turn times as well as capability and EH&S improvements along the way.”
The engine center is the first Pratt & Whitney MRO facility to adopt an automated system that assembles the high pressure compressor rotor assembly with minimal variation and higher yield, resulting in streamlined turn times and improved reliability of outputs. The facility also features a refined overhead engine handling system, resulting in more efficient, cost-effective processes with improvements to safety and ergonomics.
“It is critical that we arm our employees with the latest technologies and processes so that at the end of the day we most effectively uphold our commitments to our customers,” said Rob Griffiths, vice president, MRO Engine Centers – North American & Turkey, Global Operational Readiness, Pratt & Whitney.
The transformation of the engine center would not have been possible without the hard work, determination and commitment of Pratt & Whitney’s West Palm Beach employees. Three and a half years ago, the opportunity presented itself to turn existing OEM GTF business space into a small MRO shop for the purpose of rapidly growing MRO capacity. While operating out of this temporary space, an additional 100,000 square feet was made available, which the team quickly began transforming into a high capacity, full capability MRO shop.
“Watching the ribbon cutting ceremony for our now fully-capable GTF MRO engine center was a remarkable moment,” said Anthony Brodeur, general manager, West Palm Beach MRO, Pratt & Whitney. “It marked the culmination of this unique journey we’d taken, from building infrastructure while operating out of a temporary location, to overcoming challenges brought on by the pandemic, to now having a shop in front of us that we collectively created. We are no longer a temporary relief shop. We are proud to be a full, heavy maintenance capable MRO facility that’s in a great position to better serve our customers for years to come.”
The growing GTF MRO network is comprised of the industry’s leading MRO companies. The GTF MRO network is part of Pratt & Whitney’s EngineWise® service solutions, which provides engine operators with a variety of aftermarket services resulting in long-term, sustainable value.
