Optimising Efficiency and Collaboration

As the authorised maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) service centre to over 20 leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), we keep the world flying safely whilst seeing to the exact needs of flight operators. We are always ready to meet our customers’ demands for aircraft parts with our ready stock of components across our global network.

Jimmy Johnson, Head of Production Planning Control and Logistics, Commercial Aerospace, shares how he and his team at our aerospace MRO facility in Sweden are involved in every step of the process in ensuring that replacement parts remain readily available to customers.

Q: Hallå Jimmy! How did you first get into the aerospace industry?

I started in the industry by joining SAS, Scandinavia's largest airline, back in 1996 as a Flight Technician. Over time, I transitioned into the role of an Asset Spares Repair Controller. In 2005, I decided to embark on a new adventure and joined ST Engineering as a Data Controller. Since then, I've never looked back and am proud to say that I've been in my current position since 2018. It's been an incredible journey, and I'm grateful for the opportunities that have come my way.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?

I love that every day is different for me. In my job, I get to dive deep into different challenges alongside my team daily, brainstorming and finding solutions to ensure the availability of parts and that workshop schedules run smoothly. The most rewarding part is the incredible satisfaction we feel after conquering a problem together. Furthermore, every problem solved adds to our wealth of experience, which fuels my motivation to keep going!

Q: You've been in the aerospace industry for more than two decades. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I'm really proud of leading the development of Aurora, our amazing digital production system tool. It has completely revolutionised the way we work! Previously, we wrote everything down on paper and entered it into a system to create quotes, which could take days. With Aurora, our mechanics simply take pictures with tablets and enter their findings into documentation references. A quote creator then generates an inspection report with all the repair materials needed within an hour or two. This has significantly expedited project turnaround times!

Aurora has also enhanced collaboration, by eliminating the need to pass information between different departments. Its centralised database now grants easy access to workshop visit information to everyone, complete with timely notifications and status updates.

Q: Tell us about a challenge that you’ve had to overcome at work.

Sometimes, we can face shortage of materials at a preferred vendor. In such cases, I leverage our global component logistics network to look for other vendors who can offer us replacement parts, find alternative repair stations, and even obtain OEM approval to manufacture these parts in-house. Our 24/7 component availability support ensures we are always ready to meet the needs of flight operators.

Q: As a team leader, how do you motivate those around you?

Affirming those we work with is important, as it encourages them to do better. I actively commend my co-workers when I witness their positive impact on others and the team. As nobody enjoys being around someone who's always frowning or grumpy, I also make sure to smile a lot!

Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the aerospace field?

In any workplace or industry, it's super important to keep an open mind and stay curious. That's how you learn new things! Oh, and don't forget to stay humble and take pride in your work. It'll make your job a much more positive experience.