Gulfstream is closing its MRO facility at Long Beach, California and shifting the servicing work to Van Nuys as part of an ongoing streamlining and modernization of its customer service and support services started last year.
This closure is the next step in the modernization program, which has included the construction of the Van Nuys, California, service center, which was launched last year. The company has also expanded its Savannah and Appleton facilities in Wisconsin, built more modern facilities in Palm Beach, Florida, at Farnborough, UK and has plans to build a new service center in the Fort Worth area as part of the modernization program.
There are more than 130 Gulfstream aircraft based at Van Nuys Airport, the most active business aviation airport in California.
While Long Beach’s servicing work will move to Van Nuys, Long Beach’s aircraft completions work is moving to Savannah and Appleton. Long-term workforce expansions are planned at all three locations, said Gulfstream.
Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream said, “We have made significant investments to modernize and strategically expand our operational capabilities in both our manufacturing and service networks. By leveraging these newer, more modern locations and synergies across the network, we can further enhance the overall experience for our customers, whether they’re taking delivery of a new aircraft or scheduling service.”
Long Beach will experience a phased closure over the next six months as work shifts to the other locations. To maintain continuity of service and retain the extensive technical talent of its Long Beach workforce, Gulfstream is offering those employees the opportunity to apply for positions elsewhere in the company with a focus on Van Nuys, Savannah and Appleton.
Located 45 miles from Long Beach, the Gulfstream Van Nuys facility is approximately 66,000 square feet (6,132 square meters), which includes approximately 43,000 square feet (3,995 square meters) of hangar space, enough to accommodate four Gulfstream G650ER or G650 aircraft. Adjacent to the facility is a fixed-based operation run by sister company Jet Aviation that has a 10,000 square-feet (929 square meter) terminal and 43,000 square feet (3,995 square meter) hangar, which includes office space.
In addition to offering maintenance, the facility also serves as the local operating base for Gulfstream FAST (field and airborne support teams), a rapid-response unit that specializes in troubleshooting grounded aircraft. The new facility is also closer to the company’s West Coast Customer Support Distribution Center, in place at Van Nuys Airport since 2014, which has a parts and materials inventory of nearly US$30 million.
