GE Aviation initiated a new joint-venture company to overhaul its GEnx engines. Its partner in the venture is Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation, a Taiwanese company described as a “boutique aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) facility.” It operates a 43,000 m2 center in Taiwan, including aircraft spaces spanning four hangars, a powerplant shop, a powerplant test cell, multiple accessory shops, and storage warehouse.
The new company, GE Evergreen Engine Services, follows over 15 years of business cooperation between GE Aviation and Evergreen. The terms of their new venture were not detailed.
"EVA and GE launched our EGAT joint venture in 1998. Working together in this way has been a win-win for both companies,” stated EVA Air chairman K.W. Chang. "EGAT and GE are now teaming up to establish GE Evergreen Engine Services to service to the new generation of GEnx engines. This is the next step in our partnership to provide outstanding service to our customers."
The GEnx (General Electric Next-generation) engine is a dual-rotor, axial flow, high-bypass turbofan jet engine produced for Boeing commercial aircraft. It is one of two engine options available to carriers and leasing groups for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 747-8.
The manufacturer describes it as “the fastest-selling engine in GE Aviation history.” It has been increasing production of the engine for the past two years and forecasts nearly 300 GEnx engines will be delivered this year.
"The GEnx is our most technically advanced engine to date, and it is very fitting that our partnership with EGAT is evolving to include the GEnx," according to David Joyce, GE Aviation CEO. "EGAT has distinguished itself as a technology leader with an exceptional focus on customer support. We are very excited to partner with EGAT as we create a next-generation service network for GEnx."
GE Aviation will begin supplying training and tooling to GE Evergreen Engine Services for GEnx later this year, and the new MRO center will be able to perform limited work on GEnx beginning in 2015. Full overhaul capability will be available by 2019, the manufacturer stated.
The GEnx engine family is the fastest-selling engine in GE Aviation's history with more than 1,500 engines on order. The engine entered service in 2011 and powers both the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Boeing 747-8. GE Aviation has been increasing production of the engine for the last two years and will deliver nearly 300 GEnx engines in 2014.
