The new company, to be known as Statco, will initially support CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B turbofan engines for the Airbus A320 family and the current series of Boeing 737s, according to ST Aero.
The US$78 million facility is being built on 28,500 sq. meters with an annual capacity of 300 engines a year and is due to begin operations around mid-2010. It will also have a test cell rated at 90,000 lbs. thrust, capable of handling everything up to the largest 777 engines.
Among four Chinese CFM56 MRO outfits that are being built or have proposed expansions, Statco is the only one without a major local airline as a partner and anchor customer. ST Aero has an 80 per cent share in Statco and will operate and manage the plant, which is intended to complement its home-base engine overhaul operation, ST Aerospace Engines.