France-based Revima Group — a specialist in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of APUs, landing gear and engine components — is planning to establish an industrial facility in Asia. The company, whose main production site is located at Rives-en-Seine in Normandy, is currently finalising the selection process among possible locations in three countries and aims to have the plant up and running within 18 months.

The new facility will perform maintenance of landing gear and associated equipment on A320s and Boeing 737s, plus related customer support activities. The company sees the Asian share of sales rising to 30-40% within four years, thanks to the new plant.

The company is also looking at the South American market, though for now this region is dominated by the airframers, through support contracts offered as part of aircraft acquisition packages.

European private equity firm Argos Soditic acquired a majority stake in Revima in July 2017 alongside managers Olivier Legrand (group president) and Christian Grzanka (president of the supervisory board). The Asian expansion operation is one of a series of projects launched since the change of ownership.

The company also plans to continue investing in its historic production facility at Rives-en-Seine. Substantial investments have already been earmarked for the High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) thermal coating process, which is being used to replace chromium plating on landing gear for latest-generation commercial transports like the A350 and Boeing 787.

The company plans to extend its landing gear services offering to include the A380, starting in 2020, and the Boeing 787, starting in 2023. It is also looking at a possible service offering for landing gear on ATR regional turboprops and the Embraer 170.