Fokker Services has entered a strategic co-operative venture with the Cades engineering agency in India. As a result of the increasingly project-based nature of its engineering activities and the associated demand for greater flexibility. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed recently by CEO Hans Berends van Loenen of Fokker Services and Dataram Mishra, the CEO of Cades.

With this co-operative venture, Fokker Services has reinforced its long-term competitive position and paved the way for further growth. Now, Fokker Services can make flexible use of Engineers from India who are educated and trained by Fokker Services.

After a stringent selection process, India was chosen as the most realistic location for co-operation. English is the lingua franca; the country has an excellent infrastructure, there are many highly educated people available and the country has a reputation to keep in the field of ICT, technological applications and aeronautics. In addition, Indian aviation companies have recently bought many aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. As a result of the compensation schemes, there is a possibility of many orders from Boeing, Airbus and their subcontractors for companies that perform activities in India.

Following extensive discussions with various engineering agencies in India, Fokker Services chose Cades as the most suitable partner for co-operation. Fokker Services will assist Cades with projects for new aircraft building programmes. In turn, Cades will offer assistance if Fokker Services offers large (conversion) projects, such as aircraft conversions from passenger to VIP aircraft.

Hans Berends van Loenen said about the partnership: "This co-operative venture gives us an even firmer foundation for our Engineering knowledge, which serves as the basis for further growth. Not only for Fokker, but also for non-Fokker aircraft."

Fokker Services is part of Stork Aerospace.