If a business partnership works, it’s probably best to keep it going. Boeing, through its subsidiary Aviall, has heeded this philosophy and recently announced it entered a multiyear parts distribution agreement with GE Aviation. With this agreement, marketing and components needed for maintaining, repairing and overhauling GE T7000 engines will be performed by Aviall.
“GE and Aviall share a strong, strategic relationship, having already signed spares distribution agreements serving our J85, F110, CF6, CFM and CF34 engines,” said Cristina Seda-Hoelle, GE Aviation Military Customer Services general manager. “We look forward to working with Aviall to provide the best possible customer experience and further build upon the T700’s four-decade legacy.”
Initially developed four decades ago for a military helicopter, the GE T700 engine series soon proved its ability to be used in other applications. According to GE, 20,000 T700 engines have surpassed 100 million flight hours since the first one took flight. Besides military use, these engines have been modified for civilian and commercial uses, such as transport, medical evacuation, firefighting and special operations.
T700 series engines can now be found globally in at least 50 countries, which makes GE’s decision to enter into a global marketing and distribution agreement with Aviall a logical solution. Aviall is an 85-year-old aviation company that has long been a provider of aftermarket supply chain management services for the aerospace and defense industries. The wholly owned subsidiary supports both commercial and defense business units within Boeing and has a worldwide distribution network in 40 locations, allowing it to offer localized support for T700 engine customers .
“We appreciate the confidence that GE Aviation has placed in us to provide global support to the T700 engine—the engine that is relied upon for so many critical missions,” said Eric Strafel, Aviall president and CEO. “We believe this agreement is a testament to our enduring relationship with GE Aviation and ability to provide value through increased material availability through our 40 international locations and unwavering commitment to mission preparedness.”