Clyde Buntrock, CEO of AJW Aviation and AJW Technique, speaks to Ian Harbison, reporting for Aerospace Innovations, about the evolving landscape at AJW Group, and the innovations that are shaping its future. 

Beginning with AJW’s current growth areas, Buntrock states that AJW continues to thrive, helped by the on-going supply chain issues driving strong industry demand. It’s not just external forces that drive the company’s success, however. Buntrock shares that “growth has been possible due to increased operational efficiency and chiefly due to our digital transformation. By embedding generative AI and large language model applications into our operations, we are optimising inventory management, anticipating repair volumes, and minimising material holds.” 

He adds that an in-house part forecasting model allows AJW to pre-plan inventory at the most granular level, ensuring the repair cycle is handled with maximum efficiency. 

An ethos of innovation is similarly evident at the Group’s component MRO facility, AJW Technique in Montreal. Here, they are piloting AI tools to accelerate knowledge transfer between experienced technicians and new recruits. “These tools assist with technical report writing, parts selection, and training, allowing us to scale expertise while adapting to increasingly complex aircraft systems,” explains the CEO. 
 

Addressing demand across AJW’s services, Buntrock is confident that none of the Group’s core services are slowing and demand across the aftermarket remains strong. 

“Rather than contraction, we’re seeing continued growth across our portfolio, with agility, digital innovation, and strategic positioning helping us deliver on our promises to our customers,” he observes. 

Buntrock offers insight into growth in particular geographical regions noting that China is seeing increased demand, fuelled by rapid expansion in domestic and international traffic. The Middle East continues to be one of the fastest-growing regions, with carriers adding new routes and ordering significant numbers of new aircraft to meet demand. 

“While these orders will take years to fulfill, we’re mitigating this growth by strengthening our logistical support in these regions to support the existing fleet,” he clarifies. 

“We’re also seeing increased demand in Europe, and, as such, are expanding our warehousing footprint, to include the establishment of a further warehouse in Europe, alongside our current warehouse in Malpensa, Italy.”  

When it comes to PBH, demand is at a record high, and AJW Group is supporting a broader customer base than ever, from operators of traditional narrow- and wide-body fleets to those flying new-generation aircraft such as the A350 and B787.  

Elaborating, Buntrock states that AJW has “expanded into next-generation fleets, complementing our Boeing 787 Dreamliner investment with entry into the Airbus A350 market through the acquisition of a major spare parts package last year. This positions us to support our A350 and B787 customers globally with a wide range of components, strategically placed across our hubs in Europe and the Americas.” 

“We’re aligning ourselves with the world’s most advanced aircraft while leveraging technology to deliver smarter, faster, and more reliable aftermarket support,” he comments. 

AJW Group is continually looking to develop new capabilities. Buntrock shares that it has invested in the latest ATEC automated test equipment at AJW Technique. Through partnership with Honeywell, AJW Technique is now an OEM-approved MRO facility for the HG2030 series ADIRUs and will expand this to include the latest HG2050 series later this year.  

While AJW is not a manufacturer developing new green technologies, it recognises that its role as a steward of the aftermarket puts it in a good position to make a meaningful environmental impact, and it is a committed member of the United Nations Global Compact.

“Sustainability is embedded in the way we operate,” Buntrock states. “Our core business model effectively acts as an aviation recycling hub, recovering, overhauling, and reintroducing high-value components back into service.” 

He shares how digital innovation is taking the Group’s sustainability goals even further. By applying AI and predictive analytics, component lifecycles are optimised, unnecessary logistical journeys are reduced, and surplus stock is minimised. “These intelligent systems help our customers cut both cost and carbon, demonstrating that sustainability and efficiency can go hand in hand.” 

Buntrock says that the biggest challenge to further expansion is time. “Developing, testing, and implementing new technologies requires careful planning. But we are at an advanced stage of our digital transformation and are now seeing the benefits with projects already delivering results, and more set to follow in the months ahead,” he concludes.  
 
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