Gulfstream Aerospace announced yesterday at EBACE that it is bolstering its sales, marketing and aircraft support presence in Europe as the Gulfstream fleet continues to expand, apparently unabated by any lingering economic uncertainty. In fact, there are now 246 Gulfstreams based in Europe–182 in Western Europe and 64 in Eastern Europe–more than double the number as recently as 2006, the U.S. aircraft manufacturer said.

As part of the expanded sales and marketing effort, Gulfstream (Booth 7061) is opening a new sales and design center in London’s exclusive Mayfair district next month. This London sales and design center will provide European, African and other international customers with convenient access to the acquisition and design stages of procuring a new Gulfstream jet. Its centerpiece will be a showroom filled with veneers, leathers and fabrics, where customers can select their cabin accouterments.

In addition, Gulfstream has appointment four new company-authorized independent sales representatives in Europe and Africa: Tim Leacock Aircraft Sales in the UK; ATP Aviation in Ankara, Turkey; Loyd’s Aviation Group in Slovakia, Czech Republic; and Evergreen Apple Nigeria in Lagos. Gulfstream has also positioned Pete Buresh, regional vice president for international aircraft sales (Africa), in Cape Town.

“These additional resources put us closer to our customers and position us for growth opportunities in these regions,” said Gulfstream senior vice president of sales and marketing Scott Neal. “The momentum we carry following the entry-into-service of our two new aircraft–the G650 and G280–makes this an ideal time for renewed focus, particularly in Europe, a traditionally strong business jet market.”

Meanwhile, Gulfstream is making further investments in its product support network in Europe. Since moving into a new, larger hangar at Luton Airport in September 2011, the Gulfstream service center in London has grown to approximately 190 employees and continues to support Gulfstream operators across Europe and as far as Asia.

Gulfstream has also increased its spare parts and materials inventory in the region to $125 million. The inventory covers all Gulfstream models, including the new super-midsize G280 and ultra-long-range G650. Most of Gulfstream’s Europe-based parts and materials–about $80 million–are located in Madrid at Corjet Maintenance’s warehouse at Barajas Airport. Gulfstream also has approximately $17 million in parts positioned at its Jet Aviation subsidiary, as well as a large cache at the Luton facility. Gulfstream said its Luton and Madrid facilities could ship parts anywhere in Europe or the Middle East within 24 hours.

The company’s mobile repair team unit in Europe, which is part of its field and airborne support teams (Fast), is also growing. This month, Gulfstream added a sixth member to this group of these in-field maintenance technicians. Plans call for another new member in Kiev, supplementing Gulfstream’s existing Fast technicians in Europe, in Switzerland, France and Greece.