By Tony Reaves December 9, 2011
OXFORD – Business is picking up at Oxford Aviation, and the aircraft refurbishing company is set to create another 20 positions in the next two months, in addition to eight hired in recent weeks.
Diana Allen, who was recently hired to run new project development for the company, said the jobs are expected to be long-term positions. Currently, Oxford Aviation employs about 45 people.
Allen said experience working on aircraft is not necessary for potential hires. The company is looking for applicants with experience in auto painting, carpentry and sewing upholstery who are willing to learn about aircraft repair. Allen said the jobs will definitely pay above the area average.
“It’s getting very busy,” Allen said Thursday. The company has a large queue of planes “and not enough people to get it as quickly as we need to have it done. We anticipate it being steady. We don’t see an end in sight.”
Allen said the spike in business is partially due to past clients who, recovering financially, are now able to afford work to their planes they had been putting off. She said there are several new customers, too, “because we have one of the best reputations in the industry.”
She said Oxford Aviation also plans to offer “services that they’ve never offered in their 25 years and also quite unique in the aviation industry,” but declined to give details. Allen’s recently added position will have her managing the new projects.
Almost all of the company’s customers come from outside Maine, and many come from other continents, “which is really good for the community,” Allen said. Many are company aircraft for Fortune 500 companies and private planes.
Allen said the company has seen “very steady growth” in recent months, a major recovery from March 2010, when the company laid off 23 employees, bringing the work force below 30.
Oxford Aviation is based in a 40,000-square-foot facility at the Oxford County Regional Airport.
Interested applicants can email Oxford Aviation at office@oxfordaviation.com or call 539-4779 for more information about the positions.
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/oxford-hills/2011/12/09/oxford-aviation-hire-20-over-next-2-months/1126066
Source: SUN JOURNAL
Date: 2011-12-09