A German-Polish success story: Ten years of MTU Aero Engines Polska

Ten years ago, the first 200 employees at MTU Aero Engines Polska started producing their first engine components. Today, the site in the Polish Aviation Valley near Rzeszów has about 900 employees – and is indispensable in the production network of Germany's leading engine manufacturer. On May 16, a ceremony was held with employees and representatives from local politics and businesses to celebrate this milestone.

"It is no exaggeration to say that the history of MTU Aero Engines Polska is a German-Polish success story," says MTU-COO Lars Wagner, underlining the festivities. "The company’s business performance has significantly exceeded our expectations. The site makes a major contribution to the excellent figures we have been able to present over the past few years. By successively expanding its portfolio, MTU Aero Engines Polska is also supporting the production ramp-up of new programs at the company's largest production site in Munich.

Managing Director Krzysztof Zuzak, who has led the team and facility since the very beginning, returns the compliment: "Without the dedication and outstanding teamwork of the employees and support from Munich, we would not have been able to accomplish as much. We started our activities with a few engine models and have now propulsion systems of 48 aircraft types in our portfolio. Our claim has always been to offer the best quality and high-tech for our partners and customers. As we have been equipped with the latest infrastructure, we are in a position to implement state-of-the-art technologies such as high-speed grinding or additive processes." 

In addition to development and manufacturing activities, MTU’ Polish subsidiary focuses on the production of components, module assembly and parts repair. As such, the facility is involved in all major commercial MTU programs, including engines for the Airbus A220, A320 and A320neo families, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X jets, and business jet programs for Cessna and Gulfstream. The same applies to General Electric's (GE) LM6000 series of industrial gas turbines. The facility covers the entire value chain, from development – aerodynamic design, structural mechanics and thermodynamic optimization – to production and repair.

MTU Aero Engines Polska's first major growth spurt came in 2012 with the increase in MTU's stake in the V2500. Since then, the site has assumed significant responsibility for logistics, procurement, design and quality assurance in what is currently MTU's largest program.

The second expansion phase began in November 2018. It will add a further 11,400 square meters of floor space to the existing facility within about a year. On the one hand, to make room for new technologies such as additive manufacturing. And on the other hand, to be able to cope with the increasing production quantities of components for the latest geared turbofan engines. With commissioning scheduled for the end of 2019, the site's total operating area will increase to almost 40,000 square meters and will create a growing workforce of over 900 employees.