A conversation with Gilles Mercier, CEO of Barfield.
Barfield is celebrating its 80th anniversary as a company. Acquired in 2014 by Air France KLM Engineering & Maintenance, the company has grown into a now world-leading multi-product aviation maintenance provider with over 500 customers and supporting nearly 250 aircraft globally. Its services include MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), ground support test equipment (GSTE), distribution, rotable and trading, and drones.
We sat down with Gilles Mercier, CEO of Barfield, to discuss the company’s legacy, current challenges in the aviation industry, and his outlook on the future of aviation maintenance.
Aviation Maintenance: It’s my understanding that Barfield is celebrating their 80th anniversary. Can you provide an overview of the company, its history, and where it’s at today in the aviation industry?
Gilles Mercier: Barfield has been a trusted name in aviation for 80 years now. Mr. James Barfield founded the company as an electronic shop in 1945 with a group of fellow veterans. Remarkably, we still operate in the same building where it all began, near the airport.
Over the decades, Barfield evolved into a key player in the MRO sector, distribution, and ground support test equipment. Today, as part of the Air France KLM Group, we serve airlines, MROs, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and military customers together with helicopter and general aviation operators.
We operate from four locations: Miami where we also have our headquarters; Precision Electronics in Atlanta; Phoenix, Arizona; and Louisville, Kentucky.
Aviation Maintenance: From your perspective, what are some of the challenges that you see in the aviation industry and specifically with your customers and prospects who seek out your services?
Mercier: The industry is constantly evolving. Right now, our customers are facing significant supply chain disruptions and are looking to reduce operating costs.
There is also a shortage of skilled labor. Many technicians retired after Covid and more retirement looms in the next years, and the demand for qualified technicians is growing. This labor gap is a major concern for the overall industry.
In addition, airlines are integrating newer aircraft while still operating older models, which creates complexity in maintenance strategies.
Aviation Maintenance: Looking forward, how stable do you feel the supply chain is for aviation maintenance in general and what are some of the risks you see on the horizon? How has Barfield approached this facet of the aviation industry?
Mercier: The supply chain remains fragile, though it’s improving year over year. Lead times are unpredictable, and parts availability can be affected by obsolescence or shifts in demand.
At Barfield we have built strong relationships with our suppliers and OEMs. We provide them with clear visibility into our needs, which helps with inventory planning and reduces disruptions. Since Covid, we’ve invested heavily in this approach. Our team of talented engineers also plays a critical role in developing solutions for our airlines and partners when challenges arise.
Aviation Maintenance: Looking forward 3-5 years, what will the aviation maintenance industry look like and be challenged with?
Mercier: Training and retention are critical not only for Barfield, but for the entire industry. Aviation demands high standards and strict processes, and you can’t train someone overnight.
We focus on knowledge transfer at Barfield. We pair younger team members with more experienced employees to ensure continuity and prepare for the future.
Aviation Maintenance: What do you feel is key to success in the aviation industry and are there any stories you can tell that demonstrate such success?
Mercier: I can only speak from my 17 years in the industry. I’ve learned that success hinges on reliability and relationships. You must do what you say and say what you do. Aviation is global, but it’s also a tight-knit community of highly skilled professionals.
One story that stands out to me is from the Covid period. With travel restrictions in place, we wanted to maintain our connection with customers. So, our team created a cookbook featuring recipes from Barfield team members. Each recipe was prefaced by a personal story explaining its special meaning and connection to their families. We sent the cookbooks to our customers as a gift, and it was so well received that we now publish one annually. One customer even asked if they could replicate the idea for their own company and we happily agreed.
I’m proud to be part of Barfield’s journey. The company wouldn’t exist without our team members, some of whom worked directly with Mr. Barfield many years ago. As we welcome new talent into the company, we remain committed to our values and legacy. We maintain our strong relationships with our customers and partners, and our team is looking forward to serving the aviation community for the next 80 years.
