Expansion Management

Aircraft MRO Company Expands in Missouri

Jan. 30, 2014

Over the next three years, Aviation Technical Services will add 500 jobs.

Aviation Technical Services, one of North America’s largest third-party aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul providers, announced today that they are expanding operations in Missouri.

The company, headquartered in the state of Washington, will locate a facility at Kansas City International Airport, where they plan to create more than 500 new jobs over the next three to five years. This facility will be its first location outside the state of Washington.

“We’re very excited to be expanding to Kansas City,” said Matt Yerbic, CEO of ATS. “Joining this established and well-known aerospace community will allow us to launch operations quickly in order to support the growing needs of our customers.”

ATS was founded in 1970 in Everett, Wash., with only five employees. Since then, the company has grown to become one of the largest suppliers of airframe maintenance in the world, with more than 1,000 workers.

To assist Aviation Technical Services with its expansion, the Department of Economic Development and the City of Kansas City have authorized a strategic economic incentive package that the company can receive if it meets strict job creation and investment criteria. The Platte County Economic Development Council, the Kansas City Area Development Council, and the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City also participated in making this announcement possible.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.