TASA's facility is conveniently located just a short drive from Thailand's Suvarnabhumi International Airport at the Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate in Chonburi. The site is located inside a specially designated Free Zone which facilitates the shipment of products without need for any customs duty and only a minimum of paperwork. Indeed, trans-shipment from "wheels down" at the airport to product "on-the-dock" at Triumph is less than one business day. Moreover, Triumph's Chonburi facility, which opened in late 2006, was constructed exclusively with aftermarket services in mind, thus making it one of the most efficient, state-of-the-art MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) service centers to be found anywhere in the world.
When asked about the Mission, Strategy, and Values of the company, Mr. Brasch stated that Triumph functions according to a unique decentralized management philosophy that places a great deal of responsibility and accountability with its individual units while maintaining a small corporate staff. Even though Triumph management establishes the overall direction for the entire organization, each individual company has broad latitude and discretion to apply their strategies in ways that make sense for their own customers and markets. Because each operating unit is extremely nimble and responsive to changing market conditions, Triumph as a whole is also highly adaptive and flexible to the changing conditions of a global economy. In short, "think big, act small".
Since Triumph's establishment in 1993, its strategy of aggressive acquisition and consistent internal growth has earned the company a leadership role in aerospace design, engineering, manufacturing and maintenance. Mr. Brasch declared that Triumph works as a large corporation by presenting a common face and a single point of contact to customers. Corporate headquarters promotes the group's complete range of expertise and capabilities under the banner: "One name. Many solutions". And this approach has resulted in excellent dividends for the company.
It was highlighted by Mr. Brasch that a bold move came in 2010 when Triumph completed its largest acquisition ever. With the purchase of Vought Aircraft Industries, Triumph more than doubled revenues and catapulted into the ranks of the aerospace industry's premier enterprises. The integration of Vought with Triumph created a high-profile, "Tier One Capable" supplier that can compete successfully at any level of the aerospace supply chain. Indeed, Triumph posted approximately US$4 billion in sales worldwide last year. Within a short period of time, Triumph has become the top choice and a reliable partner for aerospace structures, components, and assemblies.
Dedication to the core values of Integrity, Innovation, Quality and Service, Flawless Execution, and Commitment has served Triumph Group well and they are demonstrated clearly by Triumph Aviation Services – Asia here in Thailand. Mr. Brasch stressed that these corporate standards serve not only as guiding principles in the overall operation of the company, but also as benchmarks in maintaining the company's duty to customers, employees, investors, suppliers and neighboring communities.
Equally important to consider, Triumph is committed to keeping its presence in Thailand and looking to expand. From the moment it set up shop in the country back in 2005 Triumph has been working in close partnership with Thai government agencies and airline companies – both local and non-US carriers – to push forward an aerospace industry, which for Mr. Brasch, holds great potential and add another productive sector to the Thai economy. Triumph started off in Thailand with 150 employees and has grown considerably. With the acquisition of Primus Aerospace from Precision Castparts Corporation this year, Triumph's highly technical and professional workforce has increased to 400 staff with the majority being Thai nationals. Still, they perform their jobs as part of a single unit, a multinational team that spans the globe. As a result, Triumph has established itself well in the Eastern Seaboard with a facility in Chonburi and Rayong and continues to perform effectively and efficiently as a third party and OEM in Thailand's burgeoning aerospace industry.
Regarding the company's relationship with the Board of Investment, Mr. Brasch explained that the decision to locate Triumph Aviation Services – Asia in Thailand was due in large measure to the incentives and investment services offered by the BOI as well as to the blue ocean opportunities he identified existing in the Kingdom. Mr. Brasch mentioned that when searching for a "home" for TASA in Southeast Asia Singapore appeared to be the logical choice as the island nation-state was a recognized heavy hitter in the world's aerospace repair service industry and that the country already had developed a national plan concerning aerospace with properly defined goals and objectives. Yet he decided to go with Thailand because it was an open field that possessed particular attractions, benefits and strengths for an outfit like TASA.
Nonetheless, Mr. Brasch reiterated that the BOI and TASA have developed a solid partnership that involves frequent communication and collaboration on projects. He has suggested that the BOI put together a more competitive and industry-focused package and that the Government of Thailand actively assist in the creation of aerospace firms. Mr. Brasch emphasized that an aerospace road map for Thailand is essential for comprehensive and substantive planning at the national level is a perquisite for future growth and success. A world-class aviation community has been established in the country and now one must be launched for aerospace that would include the participation of government ministries/agencies, state-owned enterprises, local companies, business associations, and universities/technical colleges. With the ASEAN Economic Community just around the corner there is no time to waste.
Challenges abound for aerospace in Thailand but Mr. Brasch believes that through proactive teamwork between all the principals obstacles can be overcome and real progress achieved. For a fully functional and competitive Thai aerospace industry to thrive, issues such as improvement in English language proficiency amongst local staff, deepening of a skilled labor pool (engineers/mechanics), recruitment of foreign experts, and the formation of an extensive and integrated supply chain network must be addressed. Indeed, Mr. Brasch put forward the question; can Thailand create an environment that is attractive for aerospace? He replied that it can happen and that the presence of Triumph Aviation Services – Asia is evidence that there is a bright future for a flourishing Thai aerospace industry.