Malaysian Gsa Acquires Ruag Mro Business

June 15, 2021

By: ADJ

KUALA LUMPUR: Global Systémes Asia Sdn Bhd (GSA) today announced the acquisition of Swiss Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) giant RUAG International’s MRO operation in Malaysia. The move, which signifies the first for a Malaysian company within the MRO sector, further enhances the nation’s agenda of becoming a regional and global hub for the industry.

The move comes hot-on-the-heels of RUAG International’s global repivot and unbundling strategy, with GSA Chairman, Dato’ Nonee Ashirin Dato’ Mohd Radzi moving swiftly and under-the-radar to secure first-mover-advantage. The deal will significantly increase GSA’s MRO helicopter and aircraft capabilities and would also support another company chaired by Dato’ Nonee, Global Turbines Asia Sdn Bhd. The GSA-GTA and RUAG strong synergy now boasts an enhanced services portfolio adding components, fuselage, starter generator and electrical systems to GTA’s already successful MRO offering. This makes GSA the first Malaysian company to boast a complete MRO ecosystem portfolio that covers military (GTA) and civil (RUAG International).

Dato’ Nonee said: “The establishment of GTA-GSA collective business avenues will also create highly skilled jobs for the public, representing a significant benefit to the group, our customers, our shareholders, and stakeholders. This approach will provide new career pathways and opportunities amidst our industry transformation efforts. We need to forge more similar partnerships that benefit our partners and our people, who can learn and refine their skills over the long term.”

Head of the MRO International business unit RUAG International, Felix Amman is pleased with the move: “The transfer of our stake in the business to the locally anchored company GSA is an excellent solution for successfully continuing the current business activities and sustainably securing jobs for the future.”

Head of National Aerospace Industry Coordinating Office (NAICO) Prof Ts Shamsul Kamar, emphasises on how the move benefits the industry: “The acquisition by GSA will enhance Malaysia’s global and regional footprint for the components MRO segment. Apart from expanding its current aerospace portfolio, GSA will become one of the major catalysts in attracting quality business partners to consider Subang as their preferred location in Southeast Asia, thus strengthening the MRO ecosystem in Malaysia.”

Dato’ Nonee who engineered the strategic masterstroke to take-over RUAG International’s stake in Malaysia has been a recognised voice in the Malaysian aerospace industry for the better part of two decades. Acclaimed for leading her other company Global Turbines Asia Sdn Bhd (GTA) to household name status within the industry. GTA holds the accolade of being selected by Europrop International GmbH (EPI), a joint company form by the four leading European aero engine companies (Industria de Turbo Propulsores, MTU Aero Engines, Rolls-Royce and Snecma) to be part of the support of the TP400 engine, installed on Airbus’s A400M, the most advanced airlifter of the 21st century. She has also been working closely with global industry names such as Airbus, Safran Group, Dassault Group, Thales Group, Leonardo SpA, FLIR Systems, and Moog USA.

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