Maker of aircraft components to invest $15 million in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREE PORT -- Alubat Aviation Composites Philippines, a multinational designer and manufacturer of aircraft doors, windows, aluminum parts and related components for civil aviation, has committed to invest $15 million to build prototype aircraft interiors here.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza said Alubat would be leasing three airport hangars at the Subic Bay International Airport for its aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul operations.

According to the project proposal submitted to SBMA by Alubat Composite Division Director Fred Mills, the company will be leasing a total of 4,396 square meters for manufacturing activities, aside from a dry storage site occupying about 2,600 square meters. The project has been approved by the SBMA board.

Parent company Alubat Middle East FZCO, located in the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai, is a wholly owned manufacturing arm of the Noblesse group of companies with business operations in Germany and France as well as joint ventures in China.

Alubat is set to install full-size commercial aircraft cabin simulators for various types of wide-bodied aircraft like the Airbus 310, Boeing 787, Enbrea 170, and even the Lockheed 110.

These simulators are shortened versions of planes’ passenger compartments, and replicate details such as seating. A simulator has a full gallery configuration, a public address system, washrooms, aircraft lighting, and 400-cycle power.

Alubat will design and manufacture corporate aviation prototype interiors for individual clients and flight operators. The company will likewise subcontract the manufacture of private light aircraft parts for export.

The firm is expanding its manufacturing and export operations due to increased demand for its products and services, and has identified the Subic free port and economic zone as a potential manufacturing base, the SBMA said.

The company said it has a number of new contracts for the manufacture of cabin service trainers and corporate jet interiors for clients based in the Middle East and Asia, scheduled for production starting this year.

The project requires a considerable increase in the company’s manufacturing scope, as well as the number of skilled and unskilled technicians.

Alubat Middle East proposes to relocate specialist skilled elements of its manufacturing team to Subic free port to train locally recruited employees prior to production. The management team will be composed of European managers.

For aluminum division, Alubat will initially need 80 skilled workers, 20 unskilled workers, and 15 administration and support service employees. For the composite division, about 60 skilled workers, 10 unskilled workers, and six administrative staff are needed.

Overall, Alubat said it would be hiring an initial 200 to 300 workers in Subic.

“Subic free port will remain the economic driving force of Central Luzon,” Mr. Arreza said as he projected new job opportunities this year with the entry of more investors. -- R. Garcia - bworldonline.com