A French Internet spare parts supplier claims to save customers up to 25 percent on their repair bills. Now able to deal directly with its vendors, Helinetwork.com says it can pass on the savings to its customers.

President Christophe Vanneste says that Helinetwork’s “Capabilities” service has been online since February. “Everyone wins,” he insisted. “The best specialist workshops benefit because they are assured of a regular revenue stream. Helinetwork simplifies its operation and reduces its reaction time to customer demands. Most important, our customers benefit from reduced costs and faster turnaround.”

Vanneste said that if a customer has a component that needs an overhaul, he pays the overhaul price. “But if he wants to make an exchange, which is quicker but usually more expensive, as long as we have the part in stock he may still need to pay only the overhaul price, which can be 25 percent lower."