By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, June 24 — Aircraft Propeller Service, a global leader in propeller maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), launched its cutting-edge MRO facility in Selangor today, with an investment of over US$1 million (RM4.25 million).
APS chief executive officer Daniel Colbert said the company chose Selangor as its Asia-Pacific regional base due to its strategic location, strong infrastructure, and access to a skilled local workforce.
“We’ve begun with core capabilities and expect to grow and continue investing here,” he said at a press conference after the grand opening of APS’ MRO facility here today.
“Selangor offers us a central position in the region, a transparent and efficient business environment, and talented Malaysian technicians who are ready to be upskilled quickly.”
Among those present at the launch were Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, state executive councillor for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han, and APS Asia-Pacific managing director Fergus Lopez.
[caption id="attachment_405130" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Aircraft Propeller Service (APS) chief executive officer Daniel Colbert speaks at the grand opening of APS’ maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Shah Alam on June 24, 2025. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
According to Colbert, the facility, which will serve civil propeller aircraft operators across the Asia-Pacific region, can handle up to 1,000 propellers annually, with plans for future expansion.
With clients in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, India and Pakistan, Colbert said APS will position Selangor as a key aerospace hub amid the projected addition of over 1,000 new turboprop aircraft manufactured by ATR (Aerei da Trasporto Regionale) in the Asia-Pacific region over the next 20 years.
“We opened the facility with an eye on expansion. As you can see, there’s plenty of space to grow, whether that’s adding more components or going beyond just propellers.
“ATR is projected to add 1,000 planes in the Asia-Pacific region over the next 20 years, which is more than what’s currently in service today. It’s a huge growth region, and we’re positioning ourselves to support that,” he said.
Colbert said 20 out of 30 APS Malaysia’s employees have completed rigorous training in the United States and Brazil and gained certification in complex inspections and original equipment manufacturer authorised repair techniques.
The trainees completed 31 mandatory technical courses to ensure compliance with global performance standards.
Colbert added that the company is exploring a satellite facility (in aircraft maintenance) in India due to rising demand, but reaffirmed that the Selangor MRO plant will be the regional centre of excellence for complex work.
The new 2,796sqm facility includes a temperature and humidity-controlled factory floor and a three-story administrative office.
It will provide full in-house MRO capabilities for ATR42/72 and Airbus C295 propellers, with plans to introduce further capabilities over time.
It is also APS’ long-term commitment to the Asia-Pacific region: the world’s largest market for turboprop aircraft.
