Ahead of EBACE it announced the appointment of its first European Sales Manager, Andrew Pearce, and the creation of a new executive role promoting Paul Dunford to the newly created position of Managing Director, International Operations.
Andrew will, for the first time, join the team during EBACE to promote its full range of MRO services, completions, refurbishment and avionics expertise. As the mandate for ADS-B Out in the North America’s draws close Flying Colours will encourage European owners to begin thinking about the impending European mandate which comes into effect in June 2020. With more than 70 ADS-B Out installations under its belt, it is well positioned to support European owners in meeting the targeted date either as an individual installation, or as part of wider maintenance and avionics upgrade.
The Flying Colours team will also mark the successful momentum of its ambitious international expansion plans as they begin to take shape. The privately owned, family run company began 2019 announcing the addition of a 100,000 squared-feet to its Peterborough, Ontario facility. As a Bombardier ASF, and authorized completion centre Flying Colours is experiencing unprecedented demand for its high-quality work. The construction of its largest hangar yet will accommodate aircraft up to executive airliner size for maintenance and interiors work. A second dedicated aircraft paint shop, and expanded design suites for customer meetings will complement the expansive facility. Construction is well under way with a summer-end inauguration expected.
Complementing the expansion at Peterborough, in January Flying Colours’ St. Louis, MO. facility moved into a fifth hangar at the Spirit of St. Louis airport to support the growing demand for heavy maintenance on Bombardier Global aircraft as well as other types. This is in addition to the opening of 40,000 squared feet, state-of-the-art-cabinetry facility which manufactured its first monuments in 2018.
The team are also be celebrating confirmation of the renewal of its agreement with Bombardier to support its full interiors service at the Bombardier Seletar facility which further cements the strengthening relationship between the two companies.
“We are pleased to be celebrating thirty years of business here at EBACE. It’s an even bigger celebration now that we have Andrew working with us, and we are delighted that he’s joined the team. We know he will add value to our existing customers in Europe and spread the word to potential new ones. Europe is a growing market for us, and we are looking forward to strengthening our presence here,” said Sean Gillespie, Executive VP, Flying Colours Corp.
Flying Colours plans to mark its thirtieth year with further internal and external events with customers, partners and its growing in-house team to demonstrate its gratitude to those that have worked and supported the business through the years.
Photo Caption: Rendering of Global Express refurbishment undertaken at the Flying Colours Corp. Singapore facility.
The new positions reflect the company’s commitment to strengthening its international presence and support its appetite for global expansion. Dunford joined the company in 2014 as General Manager of Flying Colours Corp. Asia PTE Ltd, where he was responsible for launching the company’s Singapore operation. As Managing Director, International Operations, Dunford’s key focus will be developing new international operations and overseeing the Singapore operation’s continued evolution.
In this high-level business development role, Dunford will report to Eric Gillespie, Executive Vice President, who says, “The business has been in expansion phase for the past twelve months as we want to position our company from a global, rather than local, perspective. We are extremely pleased he is taking on the challenge of developing international business. Paul has done great things for our Singapore operations, and I’m confident he’ll continue to add value for our international customers, our team and our business in general.”
Dunford will work with newly appointed Singapore General Manager, Too Hin Wee to continue developing the company’s Asian presence. “This role can influence the future of Flying Colours and I’m excited by the tremendous opportunity to help take it to the next level,” says Dunford.
Andrew Pearce’s newly created role of European Sales Manager represents the company’s first formal European presence in its 30-year history. Pearce will be responsible for seeking out sales opportunities for Flying Colours across Europe and more specifically identifying, developing and managing a new client network. Reporting into Kevin Kliethermes, Director of Sales, Pearce will mirror the North American sales and marketing operations in Europe. Initial targeting will be focused on heavy inspections and refurbishment of Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Dassault aircraft.
Pearce brings 35-years of international experience in the MRO, completions and aircraft sales-sector having worked with Canadian, Middle Eastern and European business aviation entities. Significantly, his experience working with the Bombardier family of aircraft for more than a decade positions him well to deliver results from the highly-competitive European market.
“Europe is an important region for us but we know it takes time to establish relationships, and to truly succeed, we wanted existing and future customers to have a local manager to engage with. We are excited by the possibilities and know that Andrew will add real value to the business,” said Gillespie. Pearce will join the Flying Colours team on the EBACE – Booth Y107 – during 21 – 23 May 2019.