Daher opens new headquarters and service centre in the U.S.

Daher has formally opened the new location for its Airplane Business Unit’s U.S. headquarters at Pompano Beach, Fla., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony presided by company chairman and CEO Patrick Daher and City Mayor Lamar Fisher.

This event attracted more than 300 attendees and brought approximately 30 TBM family aircraft to Pompano Beach Airpark (KPMP), coinciding with the TBM Owners and Pilots Association (TBMOPA) Safety seminar.

The new facility includes a 32,000-sq. ft. (3,000 sq. m.) structural steel building with high-strength structure and foundations that were constructed to one of the world’s most stringent building codes, particularly with resistance to winds of up to 150 kts.

Within the building, two temperature-controlled hangars – one of which is equipped with a three-ton overhead crane – host the TBM Service Center for TBM customers based in the southeastern U.S. The new TBM Service Center can accommodate eight TBM aircraft simultaneously, as well a full spare parts inventory in a dedicated storage area.

With its resources, this facility enables Daher’s Airplane Business Unit to offer more services for TBM operators and customers, including avionics modernization, repair activities and full aircraft overhaul. Located near the city of Fort Lauderdale, its amenities include an automated 24-hour fueling system that enables Daher to increase its operational efficiency and better address customer needs.

Pompano Beach Airpark is an airport devoted to general aviation, where 160 aircraft are based. Generating an average 160,000 aircraft movements annually, it is ranked as the 27th busiest airport in the U.S. The airport has an operational air traffic control tower that functions under terms of the FAA Contract Tower Program, and incorporates three runways – one of which recently was extended to 5,000 ft. (1,527 m.).

“Daher is a recognized industrial company in Europe, which aims at bringing innovative industrial solutions for our customers. Inaugurating this new location, the spearhead of the TBM family of aircraft, highlights our strategy to become well established in the United States in order to become a trusted partner for our U.S. customers,” said Patrick Daher, chairman and CEO of Daher.

“Our city is extremely honoured that Daher has selected Pompano Beach Airpark,” stated City Mayor Lamar Fisher. “There are numerous benefits of having Daher in our community, including its positive economic impact. In the near future, we expect TBM pilots to refer to Pompano Beach as the official U.S. hometown for the TBM!”

Stephane Mayer, president and CEO of Daher’s Aerospace and Defense division, added: “Daher’s move comes at a time when our aerospace business is growing in the U.S., both in the aerostructures sector and with the demand for our TBM 900 very fast turboprop aircraft. The new facility at Pompano Beach Airpark will allow Daher to leverage the company’s brand and resources as it meets the evolving demands of a growing customer base – a pillar of the company’s strategic business plan.”

Nicolas Chabbert, president of Daher’s Socata North America Inc. subsidiary in the U.S., and who also is senior vice-president of the Daher Airplane Business Unit, said Pompano Beach Airpark was chosen because it continues Daher’s presence within Florida’s Broward County – where the U.S. operations have been located for 20 years – and remains a destination of choice for TBM customers.

“Our new Pompano Beach facilities gives us the additional space we need, positions us to better serve customers for years to come, and reinforces our enthusiasm for what this business can accomplish in America,” Chabbert explained. “Following the TBM program’s great success, the fleet is growing – with more than 500 TBMs in the U.S. today. These aircraft will benefit from our new capabilities, such as avionics service that will complement our support and maintenance activities. After almost two decades at Florida’s Fort-Lauderdale-Hollywood North Perry airport, we are delighted for this relocation, which brings us to an airport with longer runways and that can offer more even services.”