At a time when many companies are pulling back, Universal Avionics’ COO
Paul DeHerrera is taking extraordinary steps to exceed customer expectations and enhance the overall customer experience with the company’s line of avionics products. The company’s multi-faceted approach to improve product reliability, customer value and market presence is yielding very promising results.
The contracted economic climate has provided Universal Avionics the opportunity and time to re-focus efforts on issues that matter most to its customer base: product reliability, built in safety, efficiency of flight and competitive pricing. 
“Business aviation has taken hits from the negative publicity out of Washington and from the turbulent economic conditions,” says DeHerrera, “and Universal Avionics is certainly not immune.  While we are not neglecting our responsibility to reduce costs, trying to save our way to prosperity is not a viable business strategy for us.” 
Universal has implemented key product improvements such as the addition of LED backlighting for its flat panel display technology, and made this advanced technology available to existing customers along with new forward-fit customers.  Another recent product quality improvement aimed at enhancing customer experience is the introduction of a new battery technology that provides better battery life for its fielded FMS products. 
Looking to the future, DeHerrera adds, “All our Engineering design groups have a full plate of exciting new products that feature improved situational awareness and safety benefits. I very much look forward to sharing the news of these products with our customer base when they are closer to completion. Universal takes pride in our ability to fulfill our promises to customers, so the unveiling of these new products will occur nearer to the final stages of development.” 
Customer communication efforts have also been stepped up. Universal recently unveiled a new website with 360 degree product views, interactive videos and a more user-friendly design. A recent direct mail campaign introduced a host of customer incentives offering an unprecedented opportunity for aircraft operators to improve safety and situational awareness by upgrading to Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)-capable Flight Management Systems, Synthetic Vision and Flat Panel LCD Displays.
To provide additional customer sales support in key growth areas, Universal added two new regional sales positions to its team of Regional Marketing Managers.  To help customers visualize what a new flight deck will offer, Universal makes its fully equipped King Air 350 available for product demonstrations.
Universal will maintain a strong position at the upcoming NBAA 2009 convention in Orlando, Florida . “This is a key trade show for us to bring customers, business partners, and OEMs together, and provides an exceptional opportunity to showcase our entire product line. NBAA always has and remains to be the best way to demonstrate our products every year,” says DeHerrera.
As for the current market, DeHerrera is optimistic. “For someone who has been on the fence about upgrading their aircraft, now is an opportune time to take advantage of the many deals available in the marketplace. Aircraft inventories are up, prices are low and mod centers have scheduling availability. Now is the perfect time to upgrade avionics, paint and interiors.”

• ‹ previous
• 2076 of 2899
• next ›