MAJOR AIRCRAFT PARTS COMPANY PLANS MOVE TO CRESTVIEW

All I can tell you, as I have said before. Crestview is targeted by the aerospace industry in a big way. This is just one more step in making the Crestview Industrial Airpark a major economic engine for Crestview.

‘Super Walmart of air parts’ eyes airport
Memphis-based company coming to Bob Sikes
By KARI C. BARLOW Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4438 kbarlow@nwfdailynews.com

CRESTVIEW — An aircraft parts company has confirmed plans to lease more than 76,000 square feet at Bob Sikes Airport and eventually construct two buildings of its own. Okaloosa County commissioners are expected to approve a lease agreement with the Memphis-based Qwest Air Parts at today’s regular board meeting. The company, which specializes in dismantling retired commercial airliners and reconditioning and selling the parts, started in 1999 in Miami. It has 22 employees, said Scott Lindsey, chief financial officer at Qwest. “We take (aircraft) parts and get them recertified, if you will,” Lindsey said. “We basically put them in likenew condition.” County Airports Director Greg Donovan likened the company to a “super Walmart of air parts.” “It’s huge,” Donovan said. “They’re looking at substantial building, in the tens of thousands of square feet ... and a good number of brand new jobs in this county.” The company has disassembled 150 aircraft since it formed. Those include the A310, DC8, DC9, DC10, B747 and MD80. In addition to disassembly, the company purchases various inventories, such as the B727 spares inventory from American Airlines, the 727 spares inventory from Northwest Airlines and the B727 spares inventory from American Trans Air, according to the company’s Web site. Lindsey said Qwest needs an area with moderate temperatures that will allow them to break down the airplanes outdoors. “We were looking for a facility to dismantle aircraft and based upon the climate and location ... Florida is the perfect spot for us,” he said. Lindsey said the company will start with about five to 10 employees and eventually increase its work force. Donovan said Qwest is a good fit because the area “is so rich with retired military” who have the skills and work ethic needed in the aircraft parts industry. He expects Qwest to be up and running by later this month. “We’ve been working on this for several months to make sure the lease and their agreement is well-suited to their company needs,” he said. Lindsey said Bob Sikes Airport has the industrial space Qwest will need down the road for a hangar and a parts warehouse. “Those guys (in Crestview) have been really great to work with,” Lindsey said. “We think this is going to complement what we do greatly.”