Aerostructure Assemblies India
Through a joint venture with QuEST Global Manufacturing and a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a factory in Belgaum, important steps have been taken towards a long-term commitment in a strategically important market. Aerostructure Assemblies India will be completed in August 2013.
The new company will be responsible for assembling the parts for complete sub-structures primarily intended for commercial aircraft. In time, it may also be used for military products. During the first phase, a transfer of two work packets has been planned, which are currently produced in Linköping, Sweden and are part of Saab’s delivery commitment to Airbus. It is intended that after both of these work packets, new business with Saab Aerostructures or directly with Aerostructure Assemblies India will form the basis of the continued development of the company.
Groundbreaking ceremony when the ground and the building were blessed. To the left of the Priest is Mr Ashwatraj Y Bath, General Manager Aeronautics Assemblies India (AAI). Photo: Mr. Leif Nelén
Supplement to in-house production
Recently, the groundbreaking ceremony was held for a unit which is being built in Belgaum, in the state of Karnataka, approx. 60 kilometres north-east of Goa. It is being constructed within a Special Economic Zone – an industrial park where several companies are established. The idea is to be able to take advantage of the benefits on offer in close proximity to the company, which could be potential future suppliers, and that an Economic Zone provides benefits in terms of costs.
“Our production rate will increase in the next few years. The partnership provides us with a cost effective and reliable partner which will act as a complement to Saab’s in-house manufacturing. This is a long-term commitment in a market that is strategically important for Saab and it will strengthen our established position as a global player in the commercial aerostructures market,” says Kjell Johnsson, Head of Aerostructures within Saab’s Aeronautics business area.
Construction in different phases
“The unit is now being built in a way that is completely adapted to the operations, where Saab Aerostructures has been involved in specifying the building’s technical and dimensional properties,” says Leif Nelén, Project Manager of Saab Aerostructures.
“We are setting up the operation in three phases,” continues Project Manager Leif Nelén. Initially, Aerostructures Assemblies India (AAI) will have 50 employees and consist of a workshop building, including offices, spanning approximately 2,000 m2. As the operation is developed and new business becomes possible, it will be expanded by an additional 2,000 m2 in phase two and three respectively. The plan further down the line is to build an operation with approximately 400 employees.
Along with the establishment of the company, Saab will continue to deliver the strategic objective of strengthening the company’s presence in India and create profitable growth.
Saab develops, industrialises and manufactures complex structural components for the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus. Over the coming years, Saab is aiming to increase this operation through new and existing businesses. The partnership with QuEST Global Manufacturing provides Saab with the opportunity to take advantage of the manufacturing benefits and machine manufacturing know-how, thereby allowing it to increase its competitiveness on the global market.