Asco Industries is a global leader in the design and manufacture of wing movables (Slat & Flap support systems) for commercial, regional and military jets. Philip Yorke talked to Ivan Remels, the company’s CCO, about its latest investments in the US, its drive to enter new market sectors and strategy for further global expansion.
CUTTING-EDGE AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY A
sco Industries is a global leader in the design and manufacture of wing movables (Slat & Flap support systems) for commercial, regional and military jets. Philip Yorke talked to Ivan Remels, the company’s CCO, about its latest investments in the US, its drive to enter new market sectors and strategy for further global expansion. Asco Industries was founded by Emile Boas (senior) in Zaventem, Belgium in 1954 and began life as a supplier of components for a broad spectrum of military applications. However, when his son Roger Boas took over the management of the company it turned its focus towards the aerospace industry which today is the only market sector that the company serves. Currently the company is managed by Christian Boas, the third generation descendent of the founder. His leadership has heralded a major expansion programme for the company. As a result, Asco Industries
has made a major leap forward supplying its products to virtually all of the biggest and newest commercial jetliners, such as the Airbus A380 and A350XWB, the Boeing 787 ‘Dreamliner’, Bombardier ‘C-Series’ and Embraer E-Jets. In addition to winning contracts on all commercial Airbus (320) singleaisle and Boeing (737) narrow-bodies, as well as the larger business jet manufacturing companies such as Bombardier, Dassault and Gulfstream. Today Asco Industries is continuing to set itself ambitious targets for future growth and expects to almost double its turnover in the next couple of years. This means the $300 million annual turnover it achieved in 2011 will increase to over half a billion US$ by end of 2015. Staff levels will also increase importantly from the 1,300 people currently employed at its key manufacturing sites in Belgium, Germany and Canada.
Innovative technology leading the field Asco is constantly looking for new and innovative high-tech solutions to support its customers’ own research and development programmes. In partnership with its clients and academia, the company has produced countless award winning products. This strong partnership approach has helped Asco to become a major player within the International Aerospace community. The company places a high priority on building strong relationships with its customers in a way that benefits all parties and enables it to deliver cutting-edge, high quality, cost-effective solutions. Asco is a third generation family business and, as such, the company has always been aware of its responsibilities towards its employees, customers and suppliers, as well as to the wider community. This broad culture of commitment has helped Asco to build steadily upon its leading global position
