AJW Group has been a leading parts supplier to airlines for more than 90 years, but it was only in 2012 that the Group established AJW Technique in Montreal as its component MRO centre of excellence. Speaking to Louis Mallette, President of AJW Technique, Airliner World takes a deep dive into AJW’s MRO facilities. 

What is the background to the creation of AJW Technique, the magazine asks Louis Mallette?  

Mallette explains that a downturn in the airline industry led to AJW Group acquiring assets from the struggling Aveos in 2012. The business quickly emerged to become an important player in the international component repair market. “Our 220,000 sq. Ft. facility is now a global hub for the Group’s repair activities and has the capability to repair 35,000 units a year across 6,000 separate part number lines,” he states. 

AJW Technique is ideally located, Mallette shares. “Montreal is one of the top three aerospace hubs in the world. Being part of the significant aerospace cluster linking industry, government, and education ensures a strong training network for future technicians, the availability of a wide subcontract base, and access to research and new technologies.

“Geographically, we can serve multiple airline customers, offering competitive pricing and expertise across a wide range of aircraft and components service capabilities. This flexibility positions us well to capitalise on growing demand, particularly as airlines increasingly seek cost-efficient, outsourced maintenance solutions to streamline their operations.” 

By establishing AJW Technique and later expanding the facility to Europe to serve customers in that region, the Group gained control over its own component maintenance. Mallette discloses that “this has helped to reduce customers’ maintenance costs by offering in-house MRO services capabilities undertaken by our experienced workforce of expert engineers and technicians.”

The global aviation supply chain has had a challenging time in recent years. Mallette offers his view on the Group’s position and how these problems can be overcome.  

“Despite the current position of the global MRO sector, our operations are thriving due to high industry demand, our meticulous inventory strategy and efficient operations,” he says. “While the industry may be experiencing supply chain pressures, our resilience and business strategy have allowed us to navigate the situation and retain a positive outlook.” 

Continuing, the AJW Technique President observes that “The airline industry has returned to profitability and air traffic has caught up with 2019 levels. However, capacity is still affected by ongoing labour and aircraft delivery issues, and volatile oil prices mean an increase to the cost to airlines, which will naturally be transferred to the passenger.” 

“Looking forward in 2025, AJW Group will continue its multifaceted approach to its global operations, investing in inventory and strengthening the business partnerships it has worked so hard to develop over the past nine decades. 

“We have plans for the further expansion of AJW Technique Europe and the headquarters' warehouse facilities in the UK and will continue to support the growth of our local support hubs,” he concludes.  

While he is pleased with AJW Group’s overall performance in a difficult market, Mallette notes that supply chain disruptions have exposed vulnerabilities - highlighting opportunities to build greater resilience.  

“Our pooling and flight hour agreements provide our customers with unprecedented supply chain support and cost stability during uncertain periods, ensuring they have consistent access to inventory when needed, while maintaining costs at a stable level. Supply chain disruptions have also highlighted the value of collaboration across the aviation network. By developing stronger partnerships between manufacturers, service providers and logistics networks, we can ensure a more unified response to challenges,” he shares. 

In almost every industry, digitalisation programmes are being implemented to increase effectiveness, observes Airliner World. As a market leader, how is AJW Group embracing this shift?

Mallette begins by pointing out that AJW Technique is proactively reinforcing its operational improvements by focusing on digital innovation, particularly technologies like predictive maintenance/analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). “Predictive maintenance and analytical tools are helping us in our demand management processes to predict expected volumes of components requiring repair. The associated pre-planning of inventory levels at a detail part level ensure we can process repairs in the most efficient manner, maximising unplanned material holds,” he states.

Explaining how AI tools are being used, the AJW Technique President reveals that the MRO is piloting the use of AI to aid the knowledge transfer to the new generation of technicians, while speeding up the process of report writing and parts selection for its most experienced technicians.  

Finally, Mallette notes another crucial factor for AJW Group’s continued success: highly trained personnel. This is an area where the company is making considerable investment. “The rapid advances in aviation technology demand the continuous upskilling of our existing workforce. This requires a blend of hands-on experience and theoretical training.” 

Looking for a leading global component MRO partner? Contact AJW Technique today.