You don't expect flashbulbs popping and TV crews jostling for space in an aircraft engine service facility but that was the scene at GE Aviation's Nantgarw site in South Wales, UK with the visit of senior government Business Minister, Lord Mandelson.
Lord Mandelson was shown Nantgarw's engine test facility which is one of the most advanced aircraft engine testing facilities globally. The site is also the only aircraft engine shop in the world to offer a complete suite of service and testing facilities for the GE90 115B (an engine often used on 777s).
The Minister met the senior management team and a group of apprentices participating in Nantgarw's award winning apprentice scheme.
Lord Mandelson said the site was: "A world class facility providing jobs and training opportunities."
Site Managing Director Alan Kelly said Lord Mandelson's visit was; "a great opportunity for GE to showcase the site and to spend time with a senior UK government minister. We were able to discuss how GE can work with government to drive investment in technology and jobs in Wales and the rest of the UK."
The GE site at Nantgarw has 1.2 million sq. ft of workshop space and employs a workforce of approximately 950 people. The site offers overhaul, repair and maintenance services on a range of engine product types and associated components. This includes the complete range of CFM56 engines (the world's most popular aircraft engine), the GE90 (the world's most powerful aircraft engine) and the GP7000 (the engine that powers the new Airbus A380). It takes between 45-80 days for an engine to be completely overhauled depending on the size and scope of the project and the facility handles currently about 350 engines in a year.