Fast 5: Sanad CEO On Optimizing TATs, Inducting New Engine Platforms

Briefly, tell us about the scope of works performed by Sanad?

Over the past 35 years, our key services have encompassed a wide array of offerings, catering to the diverse needs of our clients. These range from specialized repair services, machining and fabrication, inspection and precise measurements, composite and sheet metal, welding processes, thermal coatings, metallurgical laboratory services, surface treatment repairs, to electrical harness repair. Our range of services is specifically tailored for commercial aircraft engines. These engines include the IAE V2500, General Electric GEnx, Rolls-Royce Trent 700, and the CFM International Leap platforms.

What key trends are you seeing with the cost and supply of engine materials?

The aviation industry is currently experiencing some dynamic changes that are significantly impacting the cost and supply of engine materials. With the rapid advancement of aircraft engines, there is a higher demand for specialized materials, leading to increased costs. As the industry expands, the pressure on the supply chain intensifies, affecting the speed at which we can source these critical materials.

A key trend to watch closely is the industry's growing focus on sustainability. There is a strong push for materials that offer better environmental performance, which can further impact the cost and availability of engine materials.

To effectively tackle these challenges head-on, it is crucial for companies in the MRO industry to stay vigilant about material costs and stay abreast of market developments. Establishing strong relationships with our suppliers is imperative. By actively managing our supply chain, diversifying our options and forging strategic partnerships, we can better address cost fluctuations and ensure a consistent supply of materials.

Furthermore, closely monitoring emerging technologies, innovations and regulatory developments is essential as well. This foresight enables us to anticipate future trends and adjust our sourcing strategies accordingly, ensuring that Sanad remains competitive in the ever-evolving aviation industry.

Are supply chain issues affecting your engine repair turnaround times (TAT)? 

At Sanad, we place a strong emphasis on optimizing our engine repair TAT and ensuring efficient services for our customers. While we proactively work to minimize the impact of supply chain issues, we acknowledge that external factors beyond our control may occasionally affect our operations.

To address potential challenges, we prioritize building and maintaining strong relationships with reliable suppliers who understand the criticality of timely deliveries. Additionally, we take a proactive approach by maintaining backup inventories of essential materials, ensuring a continuous supply flow even during unforeseen disruptions.

Moreover, we keep a close eye on supply chain activities, enabling us to identify and address any potential bottlenecks or disruptions well in advance. This proactive monitoring allows us to respond swiftly and effectively, mitigating potential delays and keeping our TATs on track. Our priority is to minimize any disruptions to our TATs, ensuring that our customers and partners receive their engines promptly, allowing them to resume operations swiftly and confidently.

How will customers benefit from your recent agreement with GE Aerospace and Safran?

Our recent agreement with GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines marks a significant milestone for Sanad, positioning us as the first certified Leap MRO service provider in the South Asia, Middle East and North Africa region. Through this strategic collaboration, we have established a new MRO center exclusively for the Leap-1A and Leap-1B engines, whereby Sanad becomes an integral part of the global Leap MRO network.

The establishment of our Leap MRO Center has substantially increased the operational capacity of our workshop, now capable of servicing up to 200 engines annually, up from 130. This expanded capacity shall allow us to effectively meet the growing demand in the Leap aftermarket, ultimately optimizing our customers' operations worldwide.

What’s next in the pipeline at Sanad? 

Our primary focus is on enhancing our engine maintenance capabilities and investing in comprehensive training and development programs to nurture the next generation of aviation MRO experts. Our partnerships with GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines play a pivotal role in enabling us to service advanced engines and broaden our services across the Middle East, Africa and other high-growth markets.

Our vision is to seize untapped opportunities in the aviation MRO market while leveraging our maintenance and financing capabilities to drive cost efficiencies and reduce TATs for our customers and OEM partners. Innovation remains at the core of our approach.