Expansion of Production Capacities to Romania

Supply Chain, General Planning

Site Selection for an Aircraft Parts Manufacturer

The client is a global partner and 1st-tier supplier in the aviation industry. It offers a broad spectrum of products, from cabin interiors and lavatories to avionics, lighting, electronics, fire protection, water supply and drainage systems, and climate control. As a supplier of original equipment and comprehensive aftermarket solutions, it operates a global support network and collaborates with major aircraft manufacturers like Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, and Gulfstream.

Due to increasing demand from partners in the USA and Europe, the company decided to establish two new production sites—one in Mexico and one in Romania. Metroplan initially supported the company in various areas of site selection in Mexico. For the Romanian site, Metroplan undertook the complete site identification and evaluation.

The first step involved defining essential site criteria such as competition, workforce availability, and infrastructure, which were documented in detail. Based on this, Metroplan conducted a detailed data search and created a database as the foundation for further evaluation. Wage costs for various regions were calculated using a qualification matrix. In a subsequent workshop, the identified regions were evaluated to determine the most suitable locations.

For an in-depth market analysis, Metroplan organized two site selection trips with the client, including meetings with political representatives, authorities, and other key stakeholders on-site. These visits provided comprehensive insights into local conditions in Romania. Following careful evaluation, the three best sites for the 12,000 m² new production facility were selected.

Metroplan then prepared tender documents for multiple cities in Romania and coordinated their development. This was followed by technical negotiations with contractors and a project management office (PMO) for project initiation. Finally, a detailed summary of results was prepared, with recommendations for further steps based on qualitative and quantitative factors.