Builder of the beautiful and popular CTLS Light-Sport Aircraft in China, AeroJones Aviation Technology Co., Ltd., is finalizing plans for its new factory near Zhenjiang. Construction work will begin in July 2019.
Zhenjiang city officials worked closely with AeroJones leaders to identify the right location for the company’s new factory. The facility, new from the ground up, is located near Dalu General Airport.
AeroJones owner, Mr. Jones Chen, said, “We are very pleased about the relationship with leaders of Zhenjiang. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.”
AeroJones expects to employ 200-250 people in the new factory and will provide housing for its workers next to the factory.
According to marketing manager Michael Chou, the planned output of the new factory — the number of aircraft produced annually — will reach 240 aircraft in the CT series. This is the best selling model in the United States, presently the world’s largest single market for such aircraft. As AeroJones serves the Asia-Pacific market for this popular model, a new factory anticipates great demand.
Construction of the new facility will start this summer in July and builders will take one year to complete the project, reported Mr. Chou. After moving all production to the new factory in Zhenjiang, the Xiamen factory will be closed.
In choosing Zhenjiang, AeroJones Aviation succeeded with multiple goals:
• Access to an airport — this allows aircraft like the AeroJones CTLS to be test flown before delivery to customers. Factory test flying is key to assure CTLS is the highest quality aircraft.
• Efficiency — an all-new facility in Zhenjiang will simplify manufacturing processes. This saves money and time contributing to better value and service for CTLS customers.
• Airplane access — flight schools, prospective dealer representatives, other buyers, plus government inspectors of the CTLS can fly to Dalu General Airport to tour the factory, take demonstrations flights and meet key personnel from AeroJones.
• Geographic location in China — the large city of Shanghai is only a one-hour high speed train ride making it easier to get flight instruction in CTLS. Student pilots may also visit the new factory.
Since beginning six years ago, the AeroJones factory in Xiamen has performed well but the company is seeking increasing interest in their modern and very sophisticated aircraft so AeroJones must grow to meet the demand anticipated for China and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region where AeroJones operates. The new Zhenjiang facility can be perfectly planned and has room to expand as business grows.
“We have been working closely with CAAC as we prepare to build the new factory,” said Mr. Hsieh Chi-Tai, General Aviation Development Vice President for AeroJones Aviation Technology Co., Ltd. “AeroJones has secured all credentials needed to produce and deliver CTLS aircraft in China.”
Primary markets for AeroJones Aviation include China and Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and other countries in the region.
