6-Apr-2014 Source: JSSI
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), the leading provider of hourly cost maintenance programs for the business aviation industry, is proud to announce 25 successful years in business and plans for a yearlong celebration, expressing deep gratitude to JSSI customers, colleagues and friends.
“We are so appreciative to the thousands of customers we have had the privilege of serving over the last quarter of a century,” remarked Neil Book, President and CEO of JSSI. “Furthermore, we want to express our gratitude to the incredible network of industry partners and suppliers who have played such a critical role in our success. There have been a number of key accomplishments in the last 25 years, and we want to take the opportunity throughout the year to commemorate those events and thank our loyal customers and colleagues for the trust they have placed in JSSI from its beginning in 1989,” added Mr. Book.
Many industry professionals may be surprised to learn that JSSI began offering maintenance programs long before most manufacturers. Today, JSSI is the largest provider of hourly cost maintenance programs and remains the one and only company in the industry whose sole business is hourly cost maintenance. Addressing more than 325 different makes and models of business jets, turboprops and helicopters today, JSSI has enrolled more than 10,000 engines, airframes and APUs onto its broad array of programs since it all began 25 years ago.
Early on, it was apparent there were key differences between the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) engine programs and JSSI. It started with the diversity of assets that JSSI could address and then, by allowing transferability of program value to other assets, supported by personalized customer service, the door was opened to a long list of loyal clients looking for
more comprehensive programs. JSSI initiated their business model with a Pro-Rata option that offered an alternative to large buy-in costs, which were required by OEM programs.
There have been many firsts for JSSI over the past 25 years, including developing the revolutionary Tip-to-Tail® engine, airframe and APU coverage in 1997. This groundbreaking program can only be offered by JSSI and provides clients with a single source, turn-key maintenance solution that will stabilize any budget and provide peace of mind to aircraft owners and operators. The JSSI Tip-To-Tail Program is offered for 85 different aircraft models today.
JSSI supports customers in more than seventy-five countries, across five continents. “We couldn’t support our customers around the globe without an exceptional team of technical and customer service professionals who eat, sleep and breathe service excellence,” states Susan Marr, a member of the JSSI leadership team for 20 years and currently Executive Vice President and General Counsel. “As Neil Book, our CEO has said many times, our product is our people, and I will add to that by saying, I believe our people are the true secret to JSSI’s 25 years of success and will continue to be a key factor for years to come.”
As the largest procurer of maintenance services in business aviation, JSSI has worked with a huge cross section of maintenance facilities around the world. “25 years is a long time, and when it comes down to it, our customers are with us because we make sure their maintenance gets done right and in a timely manner,” commented George Kleros, Senior Vice President Strategic Event Management & Fleet Support. “We truly value our long-standing relationships with skilled maintenance facilities that work closely with us to serve our mutual customers,” added Kleros.
In 2008, JSSI’s growth accelerated under new ownership, led by Robert H. Book and Joseph DaGrosa, Jr. Mr. Book, JSSI’s Chairman, stated, “We have the best team in the industry. Coming out of the biggest downturn in the business aviation market, we are proud of the fact that we have emerged a much stronger company.”
More programs are being developed today for new production aircraft, such as the recently announced JSSI Tip-to-Tail Program for the new Gulfstream 650. The JSSI Alliance Program, introduced in 2013, now offers opportunities to qualified strategic partners to increase incremental revenue and add value to their client relationships through a formalized leads and referrals program.
For each of the last 5 years, JSSI has enjoyed double digit growth. High profile businesses around the world and Fortune 500 flight operations continue to recognize the value of predictable maintenance budgets provided by JSSI Programs. They also understand the financial responsibility a JSSI Program can support by retaining the value of their JSSI investment and providing transfer flexibility when they need to make a major fleet change.
On a global scale, JSSI is grateful for customers such as Nikki Lauda, a financially savvy airline tycoon and famous Formula One driver. Mr. Lauda believes in the exceptional value that the JSSI Programs provide to him for his business jets. A record-setting enrollment deal made history last year when VistaJet enrolled their fleet of 50 Bombardier Global 5000 and 6000 aircraft engines and APUs, valued at more than $205 million US. JSSI is thankful for these new customers as well as the numerous loyal customers like them that have been with JSSI over the years. Many of these aircraft owners and operators have benefitted from the transfer of JSSI Program values to a new aircraft several times over. And others may have opted to transfer the JSSI Program coverage to the buyer of their aircraft, to increase the aircraft’s value and accelerate the sale.
JSSI has thrived for 25 years, through good times and bad, while supporting the best interests of the Business Aviation industry. Giving back to the community whenever the need arises continues to be a priority for JSSI. Substantial efforts and financial aid were provided by the JSSI team in connection with the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti in 2010 and more recently with the devastating tornados in Illinois and the hurricane in the Philippines.
The yearlong JSSI 25th anniversary celebration will reflect on the dedication and support of JSSI clients, colleagues, partners and employees that got them where they are today as the largest provider of hourly cost maintenance programs. A special media conference call, by invitation only, has been scheduled to kick off the 25thanniversary with a look back at JSSI’s achievements and plans for the future, as well as to thank editors and writers for the many years of reporting on the aircraft maintenance program evolution.
