GE Aviation, Mahindra to collaborate on aero structure manufacturing

PARIS: Mahindra group has expanded its partnership with GE Aviation by signing an agreement to make aerostructures at the Indian group's new aerospace facility in Bangalore.

The existing initial MoU enabled both companies to work together on potential opportunities in manufacture of aerostructures. This new pact, signed here at Paris International Air Show, will see them collaborate to produce small, metallic complex structural sheet details and assemblies within Mahindra's Bangalore plant.

Stefanie Darlington, Executive Sourcing Leader for GE Aviation's Composites Value Stream said, "The establishment of this Agreement marks a key step in the development of a long term relationship to support existing and potential new opportunities by adding Mahindra to our international supply chain with first hardware due in 2015."

S P Shukla, Group President & CEO, Mahindra Aerospace and Defence Sector and Member, Group Executive Board, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, said, "This agreement takes GE and us to the next stage in our efforts to create value for aerospace OEMs and Tier 1 worldwide.

"We are confident that this relationship will flourish and grow significantly in the years to follow."

"Manufacture of components, assemblies and aerostructures is an integral part of our vision. While this agreement makes us part of GE's supply chain, we are also working to collaboratively leverage our respective capabilities on assembly work packages for A&D majors," said Arvind Mehra, Executive Director and CEO, Mahindra Aerospace.

Created in 2009, Mahindra Aerospace extended the Mahindra Group's automotive design and manufacturing expertise to the growing aerospace industry.

Through its components sector, Mahindra Aerospace acquired several companies with design and manufacturing experience - strengthening its capabilities in lower-cost production.

GE Aviation is a leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components, aerostructures, nacelles and integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft.