Unilode opens new East Midlands MRO facility in the UK
Unilode launches a 27,000 sq ft MRO site in Castle Donnington to boost global ULD repair capacity.;
Andy Fallon,East Midlands Station Manager; Janis Balkens, Unilode Chief Operations Officer; Frank Steinert, Global Director Aviation Network Equipment at DHL Express; Ross Marino, Unilode’s Chief Executive Officer and Chris Jenkins, Unilode’s EMEA MRO Director
Unilode Aviation Solutions has opened its new 27,000 sq ft East Midlands MRO facility at Stud Brook Business Park in Castle Donnington, marking a major step in its global investment strategy and strengthening support for airline and cargo operators worldwide.
The new facility at Unit 5b expands Unilode’s regional and global operations. The company manages the world’s largest digitised ULD fleet with more than 200,000 units and operates the biggest global repair network, supporting over 90 airlines across more than 550 airports. The East Midlands site increases its ability to offer efficient services at greater scale.
Located minutes from East Midlands Airport, the MRO enhances support for major operators in the region, including DHL, West Atlantic, Singapore Airlines, Aer Lingus, Finnair, and TUI. Unilode said the launch reflects its focus on improving customer service and strengthening operational capabilities.
Janis Balkens, Chief Operating Officer at Unilode Aviation Solutions, said the opening marks an important moment for the team and its customers. He said the East Midlands MRO was designed to improve service capability, support rising demand, and offer a workplace that aligns with the company’s values and ambitions. He added that the investment supports sustainable growth, as the operation uses 100 per cent renewable energy and follows BREEAM certification standards.
Balkens noted that the East Midlands team has already delivered strong results and that the new facility will help expand capabilities further while supporting Unilode’s global growth and helping customers improve performance across their operations.
The launch forms part of a wider global investment programme. Unilode recently opened MRO facilities in Hong Kong and Singapore and carried out major refurbishments in Newark and London Heathrow. These developments aim to ensure the company remains responsive to changing industry needs and continues to enhance operational excellence worldwide.