Airfoil Services Sdn. Bhd. (ASSB), an MTU Aero Engines and Lufthansa Technik affiliate, is celebrating the Ground Breaking of its new global integrated Centre of Excellence for aircraft airfoil services in Kota Damansara at Selangor Science Park today.

The facility, which is expected to start operations by early 2007, is located on a 5.9 acre site and will contain up to 5,000 sqm workshop and 2,500 sqm office floor. It will be equipped with state of the art machinery and high-technology processes. ASSB will be repairing high-pressure compressor blades in addition to the low-pressure turbine blades it is doing now, and add the CF34 to its present CF6, V2500 and CFM56 engine portfolio.

ASSB specializes in the repair of blades from major engines, including GE, CFMI and IAE, for mostly MTU's maintenance segment and Lufthansa Technik. The company has been operating since MTU and Malaysian Airlines agreed to build a common airfoil repair facility 15 years ago. Advanced technology has been implemented over the time, a plan to set up a Centre of Excellence has been established and three years ago Lufthansa Technik became a Joint Venture partner.

Both shareholders decided to significantly expand ASSB in Malaysia, because of its strategic location with high potential employees and stable wage rates and a good governmental support. This includes the new facility in Kota Damansara, the implementation of new products and to create additional 250 highly skilled jobs. Employment will grow up to 500 people. In addition to the transfer of technology, MTU and Lufthansa Technik will highly support the training of these personnel.

MTU Aero Engines, with its about 6,800 employees, is Germany's leading engine manufacturer and the world's largest independent provider of commercial engine services. The company has carved out a leadership role in engine technology and closely cooperates with the world's major engine manufacturers.

With its workforce of 25,000 and network of 27 affiliates, Lufthansa Technik is the internationally leading provider of maintenance and overhaul services for airframes, engines and their various components. In Hamburg, Germany, the group operates the world's largest engine shop outside the U.S. The company focuses on a plurality of major jet engine makes.