Kenosha, Wis., March 22, 2013 – FedEx is known throughout the industry for their speed and precision. The same is also true for their aircraft mechanics as Team FedEx LAX displayed those characteristics in besting more than 20 other maintenance teams to win the inaugural William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance, presented by Snap-on, at the AviationPros Live Maintenance Skills Competition, earlier this month in Las Vegas.
The William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance, presented by Snap-on, is the grand prize for the team with the overall winning score from AMTSociety’s Maintenance Skills Competition. The O’Brien Trophy will be on display at FedEx’s maintenance facility at the Los Angeles International Airport for the next year. The trophy will return to the Maintenance Skills Competition next March and will again be up for grabs to the winning overall team. Team FedEx LAX included Paul Germain, Mario Batuhan, Tony Clark, Gary Damp, David Ramirez and coach Mike Sanford.
“On behalf of everyone at Snap-on around the world, I’d like to congratulate Team FedEx LAX for their outstanding performance at this year’s Maintenance Skills Competition,” said Andy Ginger, president, Snap-on Industrial. “This event truly brings together the best-of-the-best in aircraft maintenance. Team FedEx LAX performed very well against some really tough competition; the William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance is a testament to their skill and professionalism.”
FedEx sent three five-man teams to the Maintenance Skills Competition – the team from LAX, along with teams from their maintenance hubs in Indianapolis and Memphis. In selecting team members, FedEx held in-house competitions, and even designed maintenance tasks for technicians to complete that were similar to what they would perform in the Maintenance Skills Competition. The effort paid off as the FedEx team from Indianapolis was runner-up in the commercial aviation category behind their counterparts from LAX.
“We’re here for the camaraderie and team building that FedEx is embracing with its lean initiatives being implemented throughout the company,” said Tom Miller, a member of the FedEx Indianapolis team. “We love participating in these types of competitions as it gives us a chance to see other airlines and schools, and we get to see how the AMT field is growing. Bringing the O’Brien Trophy to FedEx is awesome and it’s great to see that Snap-on backs this event.”
The Maintenance Skills Competition is an event which gives teams of licensed AMTs, AMEs, international military personnel and qualified aviation maintenance students the chance to test their aviation maintenance skills against those of their peers. The competition included 14 challenges in areas such as avionics, hydraulics, jet engine troubleshooting, cockpit window sealing and other tasks. Teams had 20 minutes to accurately complete each task; teams that finished their tasks in less than the allotted time received higher scores.
“The Maintenance Skills Competition is a world class venue for the best-of-the-best in the aircraft maintenance profession to showcase their skills,” said Ken MacTiernan, AMTSociety Director, and Chairman of the AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition. “Teams from around the world, as well as students preparing to enter this skilled craft, come to compete and help promote the men and women who are the true faces behind safety.”
In addition to the William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance, Snap-on donated more than $75,000 in tools and equipment to top finishers in the competition.
Sponsoring the William O’Brien Award for Excellence in Aircraft Maintenance is part of Snap-on’s expanded three-year commitment to AviationPros Live. That commitment also positions Snap-on as the new Exclusive Sponsor of the AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition, and is the official tool sponsor of the event.
For more information about Snap-on, call 877.740.1900, or visit http://www.snapon.com; for information on the AMTSociety Maintenance Skills Competition, visit www.amtsociety.org.
About Snap-on Industrial
Snap-on Industrial is a division of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users. Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources. Products and services are sold through the company’s franchisee, company-direct, distribution and Web-based channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2.9 billion, S&P 500 Company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
