APS opens 'cutting-edge' MRO facility in Selangor for Asia Pacific turboprop market

New Straits Times

24-06-2025

SHAH ALAM: Aircraft Propeller Service (APS), a global leader in aircraft propeller maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), officially opens its first Asia state-of-the-art MRO facility in Selangor.
APS chief executive officer Daniel Colbert said the facility will cater to the growing demand for turboprop services in Asia Pacific.
"This MRO center represents more than a geographic expansion. It is a strategic investment in workforce development and technical excellence, and a commitment to be close to our customers."
"By combining our proprietary expertise with Malaysia's skilled talent pool, we are building a center of excellence in Asia Pacific for propeller MRO to support operators in this part of the world," said Colbert at the grand opening of APS Asia Pacific today.
It was officiated by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
The 30,096 square-foot MRO facility will serve as a regional hub for servicing ATR 42 and ATR A72, as well as Airbus C295 propellers, reinforcing APS' long-term commitment to the world's largest turboprop market.
Amirudin said Selangor welcomed the investment as a strong endorsement of the state's position as a gateway to Asean's aerospace and aviation industry.
"APS' decision to set up shop in Selangor has taken the state's goal of being the gateway to Asean to a whole new level... I'm confident that young Selangorians will stand to benefit through the many job opportunities this MRO facility will offer," he said.
APS Malaysia employs 30 staff, 20 of whom have undergone intensive technical training at the parent company's US and Brazil facilities.
The trainees completed 31 mandatory courses and earned certifications in complex inspections and OEM-authorised repairs for Collins Aerospace's 568F propeller systems.
The company is the only MRO provider in both Asia and the Americas licensed to perform OEM-proprietary repairs for the 568F propeller model, a key component used on many regional turboprop aircraft.
APS Asia Pacific managing director, Fergus Lopez said the Malaysian facility is built to the same world-class standards as its counterparts in the United States and Brazil.
"This achievement reflects the dedication of our Malaysian team, who have gone through very comprehensive technical training," he said.
The new facility features a climate-controlled factory floor and a three-storey administrative office, with plans to gradually expand its MRO capabilities to other propeller models in line with market needs.
Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) CEO Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim welcomed APS' decision to establish its first Asian base in Malaysia, calling it a strategic move aligned with the government's New Industrial Master Plan 2030.
"This is exactly the kind of high-value, tech-driven investment that MIDA champions — one that uplifts our local capabilities and reinforces Malaysia's standing as a leading aerospace hub," he said.