The 2019 MARPA Annual Conference is in the books, and thanks to everyone who joined us in San Diego! Two full days of workshops and presentations by industry leaders offered ample opportunities for attendees to get the latest information and insights into current trends in the PMA industry.
One of the highlights was an excellent keynote speech by Craig Barton, Vice President: Technical Services at American Airlines. As we all know, PMA parts offer an excellent source of savings for operators. But Mr. Barton pointed out an even more important fact: PMA–by providing improvements to products, cutting long lead times, and providing reliability improvements–plays an important role in developing a complete and robust supply chain that satisfies the operator’s needs by having the right parts in the right place at the right time.
As Mr. Barton explained: Twenty years ago cost was the motivating factor. Today, although cost remains a consideration, it is no longer the motivating factor in seeking out PMA parts. Offering improvements to products, cutting long lead-times, and improving reliability are all important factors measured by operators when choosing suppliers and selecting new PMAs. And the manufacturer’s support must continue after a part’s entry into service.
We are happy to say that this is an area in which MARPA members excel. We promote the benefits of PMA as safety, savings, and service. Combine this with a robust COS program, and PMA manufacturers are ideally suited to help operators solve reliability issues, support inventory management and AOG challenges, control costs, and continuously improve our parts to benefit operators and the flying public.
PMA truly plays a crucial role in many operators’ maintenance programs and supply chains. It is no longer simply about a low-cost alternative; PMA parts actively help operators solve reliability problems and improve performance. Mr. Barton pointed out that once an operator takes delivery of an aircraft, they are in the best position to develop knowledge about maintenance and operations challenges. Airlines have their mechanics touching planes every night and this allows them to develop performance data in real time. PMA providers who are attentive and nimble are ideally situated to respond to those challenges, and airlines like American frequently come to PMA manufacturers for creative and effective solutions.
MARPA is very thankful to Mr. Barton and American Airlines for his great keynote address. Important insights from operators and tips for for doing business with carriers are just some of the great information conference attendees receive.
Although the 2019 MARPA conference schedule may have concluded, there is more great information just around the corner. Operators, manufacturers, and anyone else interested in great educational and networking opportunities should mark their calendars for next year’s MARPA conferences: the MARPA EMEA Conference, May 27-28, 2020 at SAS headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden; and the MARPA Annual Conference, October 21-22, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. We can’t wait to see you there!
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