Aftermarket supply chain stakeholders believe a shift toward smarter, data-driven practices could help improve the utilization, safety, efficiency and traceability of engine stands during maintenance processes.
Engine logistics experts at Kuehne+Nagel estimate that engine stands currently operate at an average utilization rate of just 40%, meaning they sit idle—without carrying an engine—for 60% of the time. At many airports, these stands also accumulate in so-called “graveyards,” where they are often forgotten and no longer traceable by their owners.
“This inefficiency is primarily due to manual management practices within the industry for tracking stand location, condition and general planning,” says James McMillan, global product manager for engine logistics at Kuehne+Nagel. Consequently, he believes unnecessary purchases of new stands are frequent, and the transportation of empty engine stands—especially at current airfreight rates—can be as costly as purchasing a new one.
Guillaume Justamon, vice president of programs at Dedienne Aerospace, echoes this concern, noting that many engine stands are not actively monitored by their owners for a variety of reasons. As a result, these stands can quickly become unfit for safe use due to missing or damaged components, or the absence of a certificate of conformity—whether from the OEM for new parts or from the service provider for repaired or overhauled parts.
“We estimate that fewer than 10% of the engine stands currently in service or in storage qualify as smart stands—that is, they are equipped with tracking technology and supported by OEM preventive maintenance services,” says Justamon.
Over the past three years, Dedienne Aerospace has observed a significant increase in engine stands equipped with trackers. Justamon says this shift is often driven by collaboration with OEM service providers, who act as trusted third parties to ensure preventive maintenance, uphold safety and quality standards, and enable full traceability throughout the stand's lifecycle.
While some idle periods are necessary and unavoidable due to the need for operators to maintain a standby inventory, Kuehne+Nagel estimates an achievable efficiency gain of 23%, increasing the utilization rate to 63%. McMillan believes this can be achieved through Internet of Things technology to enable transparency, global online inventory management and potential market collaboration.
Kuehne+Nagel wants to transform conventional engine stands into “smart stands” by equipping them with airfreight-approved trackers that transmit telematics data into the company’s digital platform, enabling a global inventory management system. Kuehne+Nagel says this transformation is built on three strategic pillars: outfitting engine stands with tracking devices, implementing geofencing across the customer network and integrating planning data to optimize utilization and visibility.
McMillan says the trackers will also be equipped with sensors to monitor humidity, pressure, temperature, tilt and shock, providing valuable data on engine conditions during transportation or storage.
Justamon says smart stand platforms like ToolLive—which Dedienne is partnered with—are fully compatible with current and popular MRO maintenance software platforms, noting that integration can be implemented at no cost to an MRO when included as part of a comprehensive fleet availability agreement.
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