Bii boosts its Boeing spares inventory
In particular Russia, the Baltics, Western, Central and Eastern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East have shown dramatic growth in the past twelve months. CEO Francis Cradock attributes this to Bii’s determination over the past three years to evolve from a military spares provider to focus on the commercial market. “We took a strategic decision to adjust our inventory and have placed significant investment behind primarily Boeing stock, including a major initiative to take on materials on consignment from airlines, OEMs and lessors” he said. “We now provide an Asian start-up with a comprehensive advance exchange programme from our rapidly expanding 737NG rotable pool for their 737-800 fleet.”
Bii is now recognised as the leading European stockist of Boeing 747 material resulting in its selection as the sole supplier of 747-400 home base stock to a leading Russian airline. Bii has also recently extended their support contract with a major Middle Eastern airline to provide guaranteed availability of rotables and consumables covering 747-400, 737-800 and RJ85 aircraft.
Focused decision making to ensure aircraft dispatch reliability requires an open mind and success with consignment material, has seen Bii maximise the value of inventory, manage scrappage and co-ordinate repairs for its airline customers.
Cradock explains that Bii specialises in stock appraisal and the realisation of profitable returns. They are primarily seeking spare parts to supplement their inventory for Boeing and Airbus platforms, and carefully inspect all stock offered. All stock is held in Bii’s secure warehouse close to LGW unless authorisation is given to locate pools at other customer premises. “We’ve achieved some impressive figures for consignors in the past 12 months: on Boeing 737NG a 78% return; RJ/BAE 146 a 72% payback; Boeing 737 classic returned an impressive 65%; and on Boeing 747-400 stock we created almost 50% return in a highly competitive sector.”
Because Bii is an independent business and has been trading within the aviation sector since the 1970s it has a solid track record, particularly in India, Pakistan and parts of Africa where it is well-known for supporting operators with flexible business terms that literally help them get off the ground. Cradock rationalises the Company’s approach to risk. “We are always conscious that some of the smaller operators need extra help with payment terms, especially when they are growing their business. Over the years we have been able to underpin many fledgling and start-up airlines that have viable business plans, and our confidence in those serious and hard-working operators has always been justified.”
Technical expertise in-house combined with a network of independent MRO specialists has just been bolstered at Bii by the new appointment of Michael Dancey as Technical Director. An industry stalwart and highly experienced aircraft engineer, Dancey specialises in major projects including aircraft transitions, deliveries, record reviews and repossessions.
“Bii can provide operators with comprehensive support for all of their maintenance projects” adds Cradock. “Most recently, we have been selected by a key European operator to perform full overhaul of passenger seating across their 737-800 fleet.”
Bii has seen a rapid growth in sales and over the past six months it has sold/exchanged/loaned parts to operators across all the continents. “The business is growing fast” comments Cradock, “Bii are now securing contracts with major commercial airline operators and as a result, we have increased our activities in various parts of the world to support this. We will be in Moscow at MRO Russia in early March, then at MRO Americas - Orlando in April, followed by a booth at ap@m in London at the end of May where we will spread our message and promote our capabilities.”
British International Industries (Bii.aero) operates from premises close to London Gatwick, with global representation.
