The aerospace industry’s product line is broad, as flight vehicles require millions of individual parts and a support system. It is one of the largest sectors in the US and continues to evolve to have advancements in autonomous aircraft and the use of lightweight materials.
PKL Services, Inc. has emerged as one of the leading companies in the Aerospace Industry. The company’s expertise and commitment to quality workmanship have positioned it as a proven industry leader in aviation maintenance and logistics services.
From Small Beginnings to a Leading Company
Retired US Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, Mr. Samuel Flores, Jr founded PKL Services in 2003. He has an extensive background in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and saw the need within the military for more logistics support, so he began providing that support with PKL’s early contracts.
PKL Services started as a small company with a handful of employees but saw immense growth and its reputation gained momentum. The company expanded into international maintenance and repair operations to support the US Marine Corps in Iraq and Afghanistan.
PKL’s vision is to be the aircraft maintenance, training, and logistics market leader. It is built on steadfast components of its Ethos which are founded on professionalism, knowledge, leadership, and service. The company values its employees as their greatest asset and has some of the most skilled, talented, experienced, and professional employees that cater to the company and the customers. 90% of PKL’s workforce is military veterans who bring their dedication to the military and their unique skill sets to continue their aviation careers. In the last 21 years, the company has stayed true to its mission and vision and built a reputation that is esteemed in the industry.
Serving the Customers in Aerospace Maintenance
PKL Services takes pride in being an elite provider of skilled personnel. It excels in delivering aerospace maintenance, training, and logistics services. It is dedicated to continuously improving, exceeding customer expectations, and implementing quality standards in dynamic environments.
When the company started over 20 years ago, it offered maintenance services related to painting and corrosion control at a single location at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, California. Over time, it expanded to many service provisions and now has employees in multiple locations around the US as well as having multiple contracts in the Middle East. PKL employs hundreds of personnel worldwide, serving both foreign and domestic governments.
PKL Services strongly emphasizes working closely with its customers to gain a thorough understanding of their requirements and meeting frequently with them throughout the contractual period. The company constantly receives high-ranked CPARs (customer performance reviews) on the contracts for their ability to meet the deliverables on a contract. The company ensures that its customers receive the solutions they need. This is done through quality staffing solutions and also involves introducing creative solutions and taking advantage of innovative technologies. The employees’ expertise is relied upon to solve challenges in the field.
PKL understands the importance of nurturing its relationships with partners, customers, and experts throughout the industry so that it stays on the pulse of the industry’s growing needs. The company remains committed to being prepared and adaptable, offering new solutions to its customers as they navigate the developing landscape of this industry.
Hurdles the Company Faced
Over the years, the Aerospace industry has experienced growth and competitiveness, and PKL Services has committed to grow alongside it. It has trademarked its proven training program, OmniSpec®, and began introducing more technologically advanced training techniques to its clients and customers. This includes utilizing augmented reality and virtual reality for training and personnel development. By using this technology, the company can provide its customers with the opportunity to better train and educate their personnel. This can be done in any location, without being limited by physical or geographical constraints. At the same time, the company can achieve greater efficiencies and improved effectiveness.
The industry has also experienced significant changes with contract limitations and government oversight. This is an issue that many companies in the aviation industry continue to struggle with. Margins are decreasing and competition is increasing. As a result, PKL Services has been prioritizing a strategic pivot. This involves pursuing opportunities in other countries, particularly in the Middle East and Asia. Additionally, the company has been focusing on Direct Commercial Sale contracts. These contracts typically offer better margins, which increases revenue and profitability. This approach allows PKL Services to work more closely and interactively with its clients directly.
Goals and Strategies The Company Undertook
In recent years, PKL Services has maintained multiple re-awards and strong contract relationships and plans to grow its contract base by expanding upon these current contracts and actively pursuing new contracts. It is expanding its reach and opportunities in multiple regions and countries to provide fresh prospects for growth. And it will continue to market OmniSpec® to more industries and clients to build its past performance and revenue streams into new areas for PKL.
As a company, they have implemented and continue to pursue efficient and innovative means of operating as PKL. It has a nearly paperless environment and utilizes efficient remote functionality at its corporate headquarters. This has allowed the company to expand its corporate personnel to other regions of the US to attain the best candidates for positions.
Staying up-to-date within the industry is important. PKL Services does this through its network of connections in the military and civilian workforce. The leadership team and business development team of PKL Services have extensive industry connections. They are well-connected to active military personnel worldwide and retired military veterans who are now working in civilian roles. Additionally, they have strong relationships with individuals from various Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) companies, manufacturing companies, and professional organizations within the aviation industry. These connections allow PKL to keep its pulse on the industry and changes as it begins to make an impact.
PKL Services’ team dedicates itself to attending various international and domestic conferences and conventions every year. These events can help it connect with individuals from various organizations, agencies, and countries to discuss the needs and solutions of the aviation industry.
Honing Responsibility & Leadership
Michael Naylor, the CEO of PKL Services dedicates himself to the hundreds of employees the company has located around the world. This ensures that these employees have the resources and opportunities available to support themselves in their careers and families to keep the company growing and successful. Since Michael is a veteran himself, he understands the unique skill set that the employees retain. He is committed to helping these employees transition into the civilian career space after they leave the military.
He is also eager to help PKL Services grow to support more organizations and customers worldwide. Michael travels, as needed, to meet with dignitaries and decision makers as potential partners and customers to ensure that the PKL team is best suited to provide quality services and personnel where the company is most needed.
Healthy Work Culture
The work culture of PKL Services is based on professionalism and camaraderie. Its commitment lies in upholding a standard of excellence and fostering a culture of respect among its employees and towards the customers. Its ethos is Row True – in which everyone is in the same boat, rowing in the same direction, and supporting each other to reach the ultimate end state. Management and personnel across the company worldwide are all dedicated to the efforts of PKL Services and each other.
Over the years, PKL Services has received multiple awards for workplace culture, including being named Top Workplaces in San Diego, CA, and Idaho. The company has received recognition as a top veteran employer by multiple organizations including Monster and Military.com. Above all, the results from annual employee surveys consistently reveal that, on average, 90% of its staff express satisfaction with their experience at PKL Services.
The Influence of Military Veterans
The majority of its leadership teams on each contract are military veterans as well. This promotes the development of a harmonious culture within PKL Services. It acknowledges the sacrifices made by its employees and sustains favorable working relationships with customers. They all speak the same language and work well together towards the same end goal.
PKL Services ensures that its mission statement and values are clear and accessible to all its employees, partners, and customers. The company commits to providing skilled, professional personnel and focuses on attracting and hiring the best candidates for our positions. PKL Services maintains a dedicated and experienced corporate team. This team ensures consistent communication, employee interactions, business processes, and policies across the organization. They work diligently to support and maintain these important aspects throughout the company.
Staying Ahead in the Industry
PKL Services is meticulous about quality and compliance. Their Quality Management System is both ISO:9001-2015 and AS9110:C certified. These procedures and dedication to compliance ensure that the company has the team, resources, expertise, and personnel required to meet the needs of its customers and maintain performance regardless of external circumstances.
These certifications require regular auditing and reviews of the company’s processes and worksites. The purpose is to ensure that the company maintains and adheres to the required standards. This is crucial for effectively and safely carrying out daily tasks and fulfilling mission objectives and contractual obligations. These quality and compliance requirements have become a part of its culture and are something many of its competitors have not been able to acquire.
The company has also invested heavily in advancing maintenance sustainment training through its trademarked training system, OmniSpec®. The full-spectrum training system offers customization options for each customer. This is achieved by combining traditional classroom education with computer-based systems. It also incorporates augmented reality (AR) environments, virtual reality (VR) labs, and Assisted Live Display Technology (ALDT). These technologies work together to create a comprehensive and adaptable training experience. The OmniSpec® system makes training interactive, collaborative, and supportive.
Through training with OmniSpec, PKL enables its customers to no longer down aircraft or equipment to train. Its customers can access the training 24/7 at any location in a fully networked environment, ensuring that training proceeds without interruption. In addition to OmniSpec®, PKL also provides train-the-trainer courses to enable senior-level technicians to provide instruction to less experienced personnel in the field.
PKL Services is an agile company with a lean infrastructure. It doesn’t outsource tasks and the employees are directly involved in each aspect of the business. Hence, the company can adapt quickly, make strategic pivots, provide prompt responses, and keep costs low. It can work harder for each of its customers and partners to ensure deliverability and exceptional results.
Advice for Other Organisations
PKL Services had the following advice for other companies:
- Take care of the employees and understand their needs and concerns. Keep them informed of the business requirements and concerns as well.
- Understand the customer’s challenges, requirements, and concerns, and communicate frequently.
- Be visionary about what is happening with the industry over the next 3-5 years.
