Goodrich opens Brazilian facility

Staff Report

Goodrich Corp. will open a maintenance facility in San Carlos, Brazil, today. The partner-

ship with TAM S.A.,

Brazil's largest airline, will repair engine inlets, fan cowls and thrust reversers for customers in Latin America and the Caribbean. At first, the venture will focus on the International Aero Engines V2500-A5, which powers most Airbus A320 planes.

The work is similar to that done at Goodrich's service center in Foley, and Alabama personnel have been deeply involved in setting up the new maintenance base. Goodrich, now in temporary quarters, plans to renovate a 40,000-square-foot building next year.

"Despite current global economic conditions, the Latin American and Caribbean aviation markets are demonstrating economic growth and an increase in passenger traffic," said Stuart Kay, general manager of the Foley service operations. "Goodrich do Brazil is in concert with our global way of doing business — getting close to our customers, understanding what they need, and getting the job done with speed and ease."

Scott Kuechle, chief financial officer of the Charlotte, N.C., company told analysts on a conference call last week that Goodrich aims to "continue to increase our manufacturing footprints in low-cost countries, not only in manufacturing but also the service network outside the U.S. as well."