In order to lessen the fallout from the current economic downturn, Satair, a leading supplier of aircraft parts and service solutions for both aircraft OEMs and aftermarket maintenance providers, worked with its customers to provide solutions to help both parties weather the upheaval.

“We work with customers to provide a reasonable solution,” said John Staer, Satair’s CEO. “We managed this very well globally; our top line declined only 9 to 10 percent from the absolute peak. We have managed to stay out of trouble.”

The company offers various services, ranging from parts supply and distribution to a selection of tailor-made service provider solutions, such as direct line feed, kitting, vendor-managed inventory and consignment stocking. Despite a plethora of bankruptcies around the world, Staer said Satair experienced hardly any loss on receivables.

Customers need certain products to operate an aircraft and have no choice as to whether to buy the many products that are crucial to safety while complying with regulations. But he acknowledged that “if a customer cannot pay, we cannot ship.”
Staer explained that Satair worked with Airbus and Boeing in ensure that the company’s service level is acceptable and worked with the two manufacturers on customer support programs.

Boeing has what it calls integrated material management, which Staer described as a comprehensive supply chain solution for operators of its aircraft. Airbus has a new joint venture called Blue Sky Alliance, and Satair is one of three partners.

While Satair maintains its headquarters in Denmark, it serves business partners globally through sales and warehousing locations in Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and China. It has approximately 500 employees worldwide, and is certified under ISO 901:2000 and various other aerospace standards.

Staer said the company is seeing recovery taking place in the Asia-Pacific region with the strongest growth in China, while there are some encouraging signs in Europe and the Middle East. But he added, “We don’t see any positive signs in North America.”