Unilode, a world leader in unit load device (ULD) management, has opened its new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre in Castle Donington, East Midlands.
Forming a part of Unilode’s global expansion of its facilities, the centre will deliver faster ULD repair and maintenance turnaround times and advance strategic priorities such as digitisation and sustainability.
“This, for me, is the best MRO facility that Unilode has globally,” said Chief Executive Officer, Ross Marino, at the centre’s launch event. “The facilities inside are absolutely outstanding.
“We aspire to play in the champions league. We’ve invested heavily in our products in the past few years, but we have also continued to invest in our MRO centres.
“The message for all of us is that we’ve got a really strong business. We are pushing forward to invest in world-class facilities like this one.”
Major operators such as TUI Group, which works with the company to repair its inflight food service equipment, were present at the event.
A notable attendee was DHL, Unilode’s largest customer. The logistics company’s investment in the East Midlands, including in its aircraft repair facilities, ground support equipment and green transformation, were major factors in Unilode’s decision to establish a presence there.
Janis Balkens, Chief Operations Officer, said that the company is focusing on growth by expanding worldwide.
In the third quarter of 2026, it will open centres in India and Saudi Arabia – the first to be built from scratch – and plans to inaugurate an additional unit in São Paulo, Brazil.
“It is not common to have this kind of facility,” said Balkens. “We want to showcase that we are committed to investment in this industry.”
Every one of Unilode’s 50 MRO centres “is there for a reason”, according to Balkens. This East Midlands facility is no different.
The company considers itself lucky that a development site came up at Stud Brook Business Park, and that it succeeded in securing the corner unit it had hoped for.
With DHL’s main hub and East Midlands Airport just a stone’s throw away, its convenient location also enhances access to key clients in Manchester and Birmingham.
Importantly, the facility allows Unilode to establish a “long-term commitment” to the “industrial heartbeat of the UK”, and has supported job creation in the local area.
“We believe in the story of the East Midlands,” said Balkens.