With the full support of the state and the Israeli parent company, Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd, which includes assistance in reaching standards and mastering special processes, and with major investment, the Precision Casting Foundry has taken an important place in the exclusive club of the world aviation industry
Director Aleksandar Mišković of LPO reveals to CorD Magazine how this factory in Ada saw their castings and machined parts installed in engines that cover the entire commercial aviation market, including business aviation PW800, PW1500, LEAP, T1000, TXWB, V2500…
Why is LPO considered a leader in the production of commercial turbojet aircraft parts? Has the pandemic affected your business?
Conquering and keeping the market is a long-term, difficult and very demanding job. Staying in this exclusive aviation industry club is probably even more complicated, especially when you know that the quality requirements for new generations of engines are increasingly complex, and the competition is increasingly fierce.I would say that in the aviation industry more than in any other, the reputation you build over the years is crucial for the company’s survival on the market, but also for creating new opportunities for future development.
And you can add the pandemic to all the difficulties we have overcome over the years. After a record-breaking 2019, we experienced an incredible 55% drop in sales in 2021, but that’s behind us now. I would like to emphasize that the management of the group made an important strategic decision not to reduce the number of staff at LPO despite the drastic drop in sales. Thanks to this decision, LPO is able to respond to all our customers’ requests.
How much does the support of your Israeli parent company, Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd, mean to you in business, expanding your production programme and capacity, investing in new technologies and tools?
Of course, the positioning of an unknown foundry from Serbia on the aviation industry market must be accompanied by appreciable investment and comprehensive support from the parent group. LPO has benefitted from funds from the provincial Development Fund, then on two occasions from grants from the Government of the Republic of Serbia, through its agencies. All of this would not have been possible if the potential of our company had not been recognized, but nor would it have been possible without the full support of our Israeli parent company Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd.
Our staff are the key to LPO’s success, their motivation, training, satisfaction and care they feel from the company
Although financial support is the most visible and crucial for development, the marketing efforts of our parent company should not be neglected. Getting to the level of being trusted by companies like Pratt & Whitney, GE or Rolls-Royce is truly an admirable result. Not to forget the know-how, help in reaching standards, in mastering special processes, literally every business segment relies on the support of the parent company.
LPO takes care of its staff, their development and training both in Serbia and abroad, but it also takes care of the local community. For you, is investing in people the best investment?
LPO started its journey in the aviation industry with a staff of 75, and today it has more than 250. Our staff are the key to success, their motivation, training, satisfaction, and the care they feel from the company. We are located far from a city environment, it is not easy to find suitable personnel, but we have been successful in this so far, which means that the location is important, but by no means crucial. Our investment in people and opportunities for improvement have been recognised and LPO will continue to take care of the reputation we have built so far.