SUBANG JAYA: DNest Aviation Services Sdn Bhd is game to expand its operations and venture into the aviation engineering school segment by
leveraging on the b strength of the new owners Sapura Resources Bhd.
Speaking to StarBiz, DNest founder and chief executive officer Capt Earnest K (pic) said DNest intended to set up its own maintenance and engineering college, and was in the midst of applying for college status.
“We have already signed a memorandum of understanding for collaboration with Glamorgan University in Cardiff. We are in final discussions right now, and hopefully we can launch the college towards the end of the year, and officially begin operations by 2013,” he said.
In July 2011, SRB entered into a sale of business agreement with DNest via its unit, Nova Embun Sdn Bhd, to acquire the business assets of DNest for RM28mil.
DNest founder and chief executive officer Capt Earnest K
SRB is primarily involved in technology-based education business and runs the Asia Pacific University College of Technology and Innovation (UCTI) the Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology (APIIT).
He said the acquisition was almost completed and expected the transition to start by month end.
Keeping a 15% stake in DNest, Earnest will remain as an executive director to provide the direction and steer the company towards more expansion.
He said the aviation engineering and maintenance business presented a huge potential and demand would climb with more aircraft being commissioned.
DNest currently also has its own training programme to prepare its own staff to obtain the EASA aircraft maintenance engineer licence.
“There's only so much I can do as an individual, I have already reach the peak of my level.
“With Sapura bringing in its expertise, we can now expand into other general aviation businesses,” said the ex-serviceman who has served the Royal Malaysian Air Force for 12 years.
With a roadmap already charted out for DNest, he said the company would transform to become a full-fledged MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) service provider for corporate aircraft, while also venturing into the chartering and aircraft management business.
It is understood that SRB had vouched to make multi-million ringgit investments to expand the operations of DNest especially when DNest would need its own fleet of aircraft to venture into the chartering business.
Corporate jet owners currently use its facilities as a maintenance and operation hub where these owners can make arrangements and take off from the Subang airport.
It is suffice to say that Dnest's clientele comprises an exclusive list of Malaysia's who's who, along with some foreigners.
DNest currently operates three large hangars, of which one is commissioned by AgustaWestland Malaysia as a regional maintenance and support centre for its helicopter business.
Despite operating three large hangars, DNest is now running at 130% capacity.
“I need to expand, but land is scarce. The Malaysian airport authorities said they would consider providing another plot of land for us. If a new hangar is built, I dare say its capacity would be filled within six months,” he said.
He said DNest is in a sweet spot as the 12,000 ft runway in Subang Airport is complimented by established facilities and infrastructure.
“Compared to the 6,000 ft runway in Seletar Airport in Singapore, aircraft would need to refuel in Changi Airport before taking off. Here we can do it at one go, and we have created the A to Z support for corporate aircraft here,” he said.
He said about 65% of the corporate aircraft operating from Subang seek DNest for maintenance and hangar services.
DNest presently maintains different makes of aircraft namely, the Hawker 800XP, Citation Bravo, Lear 45, Gulfstream IV, Falcon 900B, Bell 407, Dauphin 365N Piper Seneca IV/V and Skyvan.
Last year, the company achieved a net profit of RM2.5mil over revenue of RM15mil.
Earnest hopes he can help the company to achieve a higher turnover of RM25mil with his new partners boarding the plane of expansion.
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