Inter-Tec Group, which offers specialist engineering, design and analysis solutions across the broad aviation sector, is pleased to open a new European base in Sligo, The Republic of Ireland, complementing its established Prestwick, Scotland home.

The new business, Inter-Tec Aero Limited becomes the principal site of business for EASA approvals. It secured EASA Part 21J Design Organisation Approval (DOA) in February, replicating the capabilities and certification benefits provided up until now by Inter-Tec Services.

"The prime objective in creating this new company is to provide continuity of EASA-approved design services to our overseas customers located in Asia, Middle East, and Africa, as well as the UK and Europe, in the new post-Brexit environment," commented Fred Gorrie, Inter-Tec Group Managing Director.

"In exploring all our options, we settled on Sligo as the best-fit EU home. The investment cost us around £70,000, but thankfully we had some cushion, having had an exceptional financial year through to September 2019, before the pandemic struck," he acknowledged.

"This strategically important new European base will be a catalyst to drive the next phase of Inter-Tec's development," Fred added. "Customers around the world expect and ask for approvals under EASA, one of the pre-eminent aviation regulatory bodies globally."

Co-located with Causeway Aero Group

Inter-Tec Aero has moved in alongside the Causeway Aero Group, a complementary EASA Part 21G Production and EASA Part 145 maintenance business which has served as partner supplier to Inter-Tec for several years on a number of design and build projects, mainly focused on interiors and aircraft seating. "Our customers will continue to receive the full EASA design and certification service they have come to expect and deserve from us. From the new base we can also engage more effectively with the aircraft leasing companies based in Ireland," Fred added.

The new base will enable Inter-Tec to build on an already solid global client base, serving as a regular supply chain company to companies including Airbus, Triumph Aviation, BAE Systems, Spirit Aero Systems, Leonardo, GKN and The Babcock Group.

Fred Gorrie and his four directors / post holders will travel regularly between the two bases. Its current engineering team at Prestwick will remain a key resource to the Group, with Inter-Tec Aero becoming 'the principal place of business' for EASA approvals. When the market improves, the plan is for Inter-Tec Aero to recruit local technical specialists, noted Fred.