While most aviation spare parts can be ordered with a click of a mouse, others still require phone calls, requests for proposals and follow-up correspondence.
It’s a drawn-out process that has been made even worse by the job cuts – and corresponding loss of institutional knowledge – the industry incurred during the pandemic.
It’s an inefficient, outdated approach that requires navigating different systems and placing orders in all manner of ways.
So why then do so many airlines continue to waste time using ineffective methods to source and purchase what they need?
As the sole provider of Airbus Proprietary Parts, Satair has a large customer base that relies on the company to fulfil Airbus-related orders.
The creation of Satair Marketplace, explains Allan Uldahl Riis, the Director of Commercial Strategic Programmes at Satair, was the direct response of customers getting frustrated by the haphazard approach and demanding more help to source the parts they need when they need them:
“We had an extensive customer base already coming to us for Airbus parts. But for other parts, they had to search around on various e-platforms. We created Satair Marketplace to serve as a one-stop shop. Rather than having to use multiple providers, our customers can get everything within one portal. It’s much more efficient to deal with just one provider – especially when it’s one that they already know and trust.”
When Riis says 'everything', he means it. Although Satair has made its name selling new Airbus Proprietary Parts and consumables and expendables (C&E) parts, it has long since expanded its offering to include other OEM proprietary parts as well as used serviceable material (USM) and surplus parts.
Satair Marketplace is also expanding into other areas such as chemicals, standard hardware and engines.
A 2022 customer study conducted by Satair revealed that parts buyers want an easy-to-use digital marketplace that only offers products from reliable sellers who can provide peace of mind in the form of relevant certification and other paperwork.
Customers also expressed frustration with ‘ghost listings’, revealed Riis, when sellers list parts they don’t actually have in stock:
“This is very frustrating for buyers – especially now that the parts buyers aren’t holding onto stock like they used to.”
When parts are listed on Satair Marketplace, buyers can rest easy knowing they are actually there.
Satair Marketplace allows for a transparent end-to-end process between buyers and approved third-party sellers. It's easy to search for the needed part; buyers know exactly what they are getting because they can see photos of the part, confirm the serial number and read any relevant test reports.
The marketplace also provides insights into pricing, as buyers and sellers are able to get a sense of supply and demand for any given part – a further way it is saving time, according to Riis:
“Downstream customers have no time to waste on inefficient processes. With Satair Marketplace, we can continue to directly provide our customers with what they need, when they need it. And if we don’t have the part, we can quickly connect them with a verified seller that does.”