ST Engineering to develop MRO facility in Pensacola, US

Singapore-based ST Engineering has announced plans to build a new US facility with the aim of expanding its aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business in the region.

The 655,000ft² airframe MRO complex will be built at the Pensacola International Airport in Pensacola, Florida, US, and cost approximately $210m.

Of the total cost, nearly $35m will be invested by the company, while the remaining amount will be provided by the city of Pensacola, Escambia County, Triumph Gulf Coast, the State of Florida, and several state and federal organisations.

Escambia County commissioner chairman Jeff Bergosh said: “This project to greatly expand the footprint of the Group’s MRO presence in Escambia County at our airport represents a transformational initiative of massive proportions.

“This $210m project could produce an additional 1,325 direct, good-paying full-time jobs with benefits, as well as 3,400 indirect jobs, which may add more than $400m yearly to personal incomes in our county, while simultaneously benefitting all our region’s citizens for decades to come.”

The building will be constructed under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by ST Engineering and Pensacola on 27 October.

Under the agreement, both ST Engineering and Pensacola will be responsible for the development of the MRO facility over a period of four years after the formalisation of definitive agreements.

The design-to-build complex, to be built adjacent to the company’s newly opened 173,500ft² MRO facility, will feature three new wide-body aircraft hangars and an administration building.

Currently, ST Engineering has eight operational bases across the US, Asia Pacific and Europe. In the US, the company has two other operational facilities in Mobile, Alabama; and San Antonio, Texas.