To make way for the eagerly anticipated Coventry and Warwickshire Gateway Development scheme, CFS Aero has moved its facility and 40-strong workforce to a larger 30,000 sq. ft. unit with an additional 10,000 sq. ft. mezzanine factory space, following a seven-figure investment from Frontier Development Capital (FDC) and Warwick District Council.
This new facility will provide the business with the capabilities to repair and overhaul over 100 turbine engines each year.
Now based in a prime location in Warwick, the MRO business will continue to service and repair ‘off-wing’ aircraft engines in its newly refurbished site as well as expanding its capabilities to service a new engine type.
CFS Aero was established more than 25 years ago, combining traditional engineering with the latest technologies to supply and maintain engines for the aerospace market. Initially servicing piston machines for small light aircraft, the business grew into servicing commercial turbine engines in 2014 following investment from the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI). In addition, CFS Aero is the exclusive national distributor of the Rotax engine along with capabilities to service engines including Lycoming, Continental, Rolls Royce and Alvis Leonides.
“We were delighted to welcome our suppliers, partners and clients to our official launch event and to enjoy the celebrations as we mark an exciting new chapter in CFS Aero’s history,” says Jon Freedman, chairman of CFS Aero. “We’d like to say a huge thank you to all those who have offered their unwavering support on this journey, as we look ahead to the future of the business as it continues to go from strength-to-strength.”
Graham Mold, head of Growth Capital at FDC, adds, “FDC’s investment aims to provide CFS Aero with the backing it needs to continue to build on its success and expand capabilities to service new engines. In its newly refurbished and bespoke facility in Warwick, CFS Aero will be able to continue to use its expertise to develop a world-class service for the next generation of aircraft and we look forward to seeing the firm reach new heights.”
Frontier Development Capital is a national fund manager supporting businesses with growth capital investments of up to £10 million.
“This is the first project that we have assisted in this way and we are optimistic that our input will help CFS Aero to grow its business and create exciting new employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities for local people as well as other community benefits,” says Cllr Allan Rhead, Warwick District Council. “The Council is actively considering several ways in which to encourage other businesses to discuss with us how we can assist in their development within our District.”