Ben Murphy, general manager, Magellan Aviation Group pictured at the Shannon facility with (from left): Dermot Graham, quality assurance co-ordinator and Richard O’Grady, head of commercial. Photograph by Eamon Ward
SHANNON company Magellan Aviation Group has secured a Silver EcoVadis rating.
Magellan is now among a select group of aviation suppliers demonstrating strong environmental and ethical standards after receiving the Silver EcoVadis rating which strengths its position in the global aviation supply chain.
Securing the rating is a milestone for the company following an assessment of their sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance from a global platform.
Managing Director, Niall Duggan explained, “EcoVadis ratings are increasingly required by airlines and aviation maintenance providers as part of supplier qualification processes. Achieving Silver status strengthens our position with customers and demonstrates our commitment to responsible business practices across our global supply chain”.
Operating from a 100,000 sq ft facility in Shannon where it employs 65 people, Magellan Aviation Group plays a key role in supplying refurbished aircraft and engine components to airlines and maintenance organisations worldwide. The Shannon site forms part of a global network that includes headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, and an office in Singapore, reflecting the international nature of the aviation parts trading market.
Through refurbishment and resale, the company extends the life of aircraft components. This approach supports the industry’s circular economy, reducing waste while providing cost-effective solutions for airlines and maintenance providers. It is also playing a key role in Shannon Chamber’s vision for Shannon, to make it one of most sustainable business locations in Ireland.
Located almost adjacent to the runway of Shannon Airport, Magellan’s roots in Shannon are traced back to the early 1990s when it was established as a subsidiary of GPA. Following several ownership changes in the early 2000s, the company became part of Magellan Group. Now the company operates as part of a global aviation trading and logistics network. In addition to the Shannon operation, the group maintains a 190,000 sq. ft. headquarters facility in Charlotte and a growing presence in Singapore, which has expanded rapidly in recent years.
The Shannon site acts as a central logistics and warehousing hub, managing large inventories of aircraft components and supporting distribution to customers across Europe and North America. The company specialises in acquiring aircraft and engines that have reached the end of their operational life and recovering valuable components that can be repaired, certified and returned to service. Once purchased, these aircraft and engines are dismantled through a network of specialist partners. Recovered components are then repaired by specialist vendors across Europe, North America and Asia before being resold to airlines and maintenance, repair and overhaul organisations (MROs) worldwide. The company primarily focuses on narrow-body aircraft platforms, which make up the largest portion of global airline fleets.
Of the 65 employees in Shannon, a huge portion work in warehouse and distribution roles, managing receiving, inventory and global shipping. The Shannon facility also hosts the group’s finance function, reinforcing the strategic importance of the Irish operation within the wider organisation.
Supported by IDA and Green Plus grants, the company completed a detailed sustainability audit covering more than 200 questions across four areas: environmental impact, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. The company has already developed more than 20 new policies, introduced enhanced supplier engagement processes and implemented a range of energy-efficiency measures. These measures included installing timers on boilers and water coolers, improving building insulation to reduce energy loss, introducing recycling initiatives and installing electric vehicle charging points at the Shannon site. Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions’ assessments have also been carried out to better understand and manage the environmental impact of its operations.
Looking ahead, the company plans to continue building on its sustainability progress through annual EcoVadis reassessments and further operational improvements. Maintaining Silver status while working towards a Gold rating is a key objective for the coming years.
Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes said Magellan highlighted how commitment to sustainability can drive real success for businesses in the region. “Its focus on sustainability, operational excellence and upskilling is exceptional. Not only has the team in Magellan, led by general manager Ben Murphy, undertaken a detailed sustainability audit but it has development twenty-three new policies, applied for and received support to IDA Ireland, undertaken energy audits, installed EV charging points, is exploring solar panels and providing ongoing training for staff on sustainability topics”.
