Pratt & Whitney has announced a $20 million investment to expand the MRO capacity of its West Palm Beach Engine Center for the GTF engine to accommodate a 40% increase in capacity and is projected to be completed by the second half of 2025.
Pratt & Whitney, a business under RTX, has announced a significant $20 million investment to expand the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capacity of its West Palm Beach Engine Center for the Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine. This expansion aims to accommodate a 40% increase in capacity and is projected to be completed by the second half of 2025. To facilitate the planned growth, the West Palm Beach facility will increase its workforce by 25% over the next year and will acquire critical equipment for areas such as machining, testing, cleaning, and warehousing. It will also integrate transformative technologies developed at the recently unveiled North American Technology Accelerator.
The West Palm Beach facility was converted into a fully capable GTF MRO engine center in mid-2021. It was the inaugural Pratt & Whitney facility to implement an automated system for assembling the high-pressure compressor (HPC) rotor and an enhanced overhead engine handling system. Since these implementations, Pratt & Whitney has observed over a 25% improvement in HPC rotor yield and a 50% reduction in process turnaround time.
“The expansion at West Palm Beach is the latest example of our global investment to support the GTF fleet,” saidKevin Kirkpatrick, vice president of Global Aftermarket Operations, Pratt & Whitney. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to support customers and maintain their trust as we carry out the GTF fleet management plan,” he further added.
In 2023, Pratt & Whitney announced expansions at three GTF MRO facilities and activated five shops to meet the growing demands of the GTF fleet. Currently, there are 16 active GTF MRO engine centers globally, with an additional three expected to commence operations by 2025.
The GTF MRO network is an integral part of Pratt & Whitney’s EngineWise solutions, providing operators with comprehensive aftermarket services that deliver long-term, sustainable value.
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With a workforce exceeding 185,000 employees globally, RTX is at the forefront of technology and science, redefining connectivity and security on a global scale. Through its leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – RTX is driving advancements in aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing cutting-edge technology solutions and manufacturing capabilities to address critical challenges worldwide. The company, with 2023 sales reaching $69 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
