In a strategic move bolstering its commitment to exceptional service and sustainable practices, Rolls-Royce Power Systems Division has inaugurated a cutting-edge Remanufacturing and Overhaul Center on the thriving MTU Aiken campus in South Carolina, USA. Dr. Jörg Stratmann, the CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, emphasised that this facility would serve as a cornerstone in catering to Rolls-Royce customers across the Americas.
The newly established center, seamlessly integrated with existing manufacturing operations, signifies a noteworthy investment in the low double-digit million dollars range. This move aligns with the company’s overarching service initiative and sustainability approach.
Spanning an impressive 69,000 square feet (6,400 sqm), the facility, announced in 2021, takes formerly outsourced workshop and warehouse operations in-house. It expands its scope to encompass the remanufacturing and overhaul of mtu Series 2000, Series 4000, and Detroit Diesel 2-Cycle engines and components. Furthermore, it offers internal and external rework services, providing an integrated solution for a diverse range of needs.
Initially focusing on parts remanufacturing to enhance after-sales support, the facility aims to remanufacture an impressive 20,000 parts annually once it reaches full operational capacity. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance spare part availability and overall customer support in the region.
Dr. Jörg Stratmann highlighted the pivotal role of the Remanufacturing and Overhaul Center, stating, “Service is not just maintenance and repair, but also upgrades, remanufacturing, and digital services for predictive maintenance. Our customers trust us, and we want to fulfill this trust throughout the product lifecycle and into the next. To achieve this, excellent service is essential – and our Remanufacturing and Overhaul Center in Aiken will be a main pillar for serving our customers in the Americas.”
Remanufacturing, as a lifecycle investment, proves to be a prudent choice for customers. It restores equipment to like-new condition, resulting in reduced acquisition, maintenance, and operation costs. Beyond financial considerations, this approach aligns with sustainability goals by promoting the reuse of existing equipment and components, contributing to a circular economy.
Dr. Stratmann further emphasized the environmental impact, stating, “Remanufacturing is yet another part of our energy transition and sustainability story. With engines approved to run on sustainable fuels, we are significantly reducing emissions, and with remanufacturing, we can get a second, third, or even fourth lifetime from basically the same raw materials. It’s a total story of emissions and consumption reduction.”
The processes and procedures at the Remanufacturing and Overhaul Center mirror those established in global plant locations, such as the facility in Magdeburg, Germany. Rigorous disassembly, cleaning, inspection, and reassembly with new or remanufactured parts ensure that used engines and assemblies are rejuvenated to the highest standards.
Since its inception in 2010, the mtu Aiken campus has been a hotbed of innovation, continuous investment, and expansion. From the production of MTU Series 2000 and Series 4000 engines to assembling military engines and even delving into sustainable energy production through a solar field and microgrid, the campus now proudly completes the circle of an mtu engine’s life—from concept to its second life through overhauling.
