Airframe-related components (ARCs) - LHT acquires U.S. firm Composite International and sets up servicing center in China
Lufthansa Technik AG (LHT) is acquiring Composite International, Inc., based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is setting up a new workshop for servicing high-grade aircraft components in Shenzhen, China. 
This “double coup” is a further step toward LHT`s expanding its role in the business of servicing airframe-related components (ARCs) and strengthening its presence in the U.S. and Asia, two of the world`s most important markets. Coupled with the operation in Hamburg, the two facilities will form an ARC network that will overhaul and repair thrust reversers, engine cowlings and other composite components on a worldwide basis. 

“The two new shops will enable the ARC division to meet the requirements and wishes of our customers all around the world,” notes Wolfgang Gohde, LHT`s head of aircraft overhauls and VIP-jet services. “Customers value the advantages of the greater flexibility and closer proximity that this setup enables us to offer them, along with the famed Lufthansa Technik product and service quality. This step secures the future of our ARC business.”

Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a growing aviation center, Composite International Inc. has over the past ten years become a significant player in the servicing of aircraft components in North America. Its equipment, which includes two autoclaves, enables it to do complete repairs and overhauls of aircraft structural elements.

The company currently has 60 employees working in a shop area of some 107,000 square feet. Its customer list includes such names as Boeing and Northwest. It is planning to lay on additional staff and to concentrate on North America`s growing ARC-servicing business.
Situated in the Chinese province of Guangdong in the immediate vicinity of Hong Kong, Shenzhen enjoys the status of being a Special Economic Zone and has an excellent logistics infrastructure. The operation in Shenzhen is being set up as a joint venture between Lufthansa Technik Shenzhen and two Chinese companies. It aims to meet the needs of airlines based in China and throughout the Asian region. Its ARC shop and servicing center for wheels and brakes are due to start operating in the second half of 2001.

Lufthansa Technik has become the market leader in Europe in the servicing of airframe-related components thanks to its extensive airline experience gained from decades of serving Lufthansa and to the fact of its having developed on its own a number of state-of-the-art repair procedures. Today more than 180 customers worldwide send their thrust reversers and engine cowls to LHT`s ARC shops in Hamburg, where in a shop area of some 86,000 square feet its staff of 150 specialists service high-grade aircraft components for airline customers throughout the world.

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