How One MRO Company is Creatively Overcoming the Industry’s Talent Shortage

Fresh off the conclusion of the MRO Americas 2022 Aviation week, host Grant Harrell of the podcast “Are We There Yet?” sat down with Cam Murphy, the president of FEAM Aero — an aircraft maintenance company. The pair discussed the aviation industry, and how the global pandemic greatly affected various aspects of the field. But most importantly, how Murphy and FEAM survived in the midst of challenging changes.

Through obtaining new partnerships and pertinent planning, FEAM Aero managed to expand their business domestically and internationally, and greatly improved their relevance in aviation services.

“In the past six months we’ve acquired two companies out in Europe, really the strategic plan was the market was depressed, and we thought ‘Let’s find companies that kind of fit our same culture,’ and were were able to find two phenomenial organizations that really remind us of us when we first started,” said Murphy.

In addition to the issues caused by the pandemic, many labor workers departed the industry for retirement. But exacerbating the shortage was the lack of new, incoming workers. However, Murphy stated the solution for that is more schooling and training. In a partnership with a flight academy, FEAM Aero is supporting the construction of a new aviation school to bring in new workers.

“The goal is just to really increase this pipeline … work with other the A&P schools in the area to figure out how we can produce more individuals to get involved in aerospace,” said Murphy.

Another key factor in driving FEAM Aero’s success was employee retention. Despite the initial increase in joblessness, Murphy said the company remained adamant about not letting anyone go and praised the employee morale. In choosing to invest instead, they found a silver lining.

He also stated that it’s a sign of pride when he can indicate a generation of relatives working for FEAM Aero.

Murphy also said that his company’s prioritization of employee care remains a top goal. He said that he believes entrepreneurial spirit and success is borne out of effective employee needs being met.

“For us we’re in the business of people. At the very end of the day I always say that people are the heart of kind of what we do,” said Murphy.

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