GKN Aerospace Is Establishing a New Wiring Facility in India to Support Expansion in Asia
GKN Fokker Elmo and the State of Maharashtra (India) have signed an MOU for investment in a second manufacturing facility for wiring interconnection systems in India at the Farnborough Air Show today.
The new site, a fully owned GKN Aerospace business, is located in Pune in the state Maharashtra and is scheduled to come on line in the fourth quarter of 2018. Production will start in the first quarter of 2019, the work force is expected to grow to 800 in 2027.
The site will focus on the assembly of wiring systems for commercial aircraft and will operate alongside the existing Joint Venture for wiring systems in Bangalore which is serving the defense market. The plans also include the installation of proprietary wiring design and manufacturing system, a unique tool that is rolled out globally throughout all manufacturing locations worldwide to ensure the same high quality everywhere in the world.
GKN Aerospace, GKN Driveline and GKN Powder Metallurgy have made significant investment in India in recent years. The three businesses operate eight locations in India with 2000 employees. India is an important country in GKN Aerospace’s plan to expand the Asian footprint. GKN Aerospace recently also announced a new facility in Malaysia, another element of the Asian expansion plan. By the time both sites are fully up-and-running, around 15% of GKN Aerospace’s employees are expected to be based in Asia.
Pune offers favourable conditions in the areas of business development, labour, education & training and infrastructure. It also has an excellent location relative to the company’s major customers in India.
John Pritchard, CEO Aerostructures and Systems Europe and Asia said: “This electrical wiring systems site will be the first aerospace facility fully owned by us in India. It strengthens our enduring partnership with this country. The growth of the aerospace industry in India is robust and we need to be close to our customers. The support of the regional government has been vital, we look forward to the opening of the site at the end of this year.”
Editor’s notes:
GKN Aerospace is the world’s leading multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier. As a global company serving the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, GKN Aerospace develops, builds and supplies an extensive range of advanced aerospace systems, components and technologies– for use in aircraft ranging from helicopters and business jets to the most used single aisle aircraft and the largest passenger planes in the world. Lightweight composites, additive manufacturing, innovative engine systems and smart transparencies help to reduce emissions and weight on the aircraft and enhance passenger comfort. GKN Aerospace is market leading in aerostructures, engine systems, transparencies and wiring systems and operates in 14 countries at 51 manufacturing locations employing approximately 17,000 people.
