MRO Marketplace Adds Services

Inventory Locator Service (ILS) LLC is introducing a suite of Internet services targeting the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market, the Memphis-based company announced July 20. The company says ILS MRO Services matches supplier capabilities with buyer requests for MRO services. The new service will provide average pricing and turnaround time information, as well as request-for-quote (RFQ) capabilities. ILS serves the aviation and marine industries. "Seven hundred repair stations currently list nearly two-and-a-half million items that they are FAA- or JAA-certified to service," says ILS President Bruce Langsen. "These new capabilities will accelerate their business transactions, and average pricing will help set reasonable expectations for both buyers and service providers." The service works as follows: Buyers use part numbers to search the ILS database of MRO service providers. Using the RFQ system, buyers then can choose the suppliers from whom they wish to request quotes. Upon receiving the e-mailed RFQ, suppliers supply the requested information and return it to the buyer. Suppliers also are able to advertise their capabilities via online company profiles that are linked from the MRO search results.