United Technologies India in discussions to float five JVs

BANGALORE: To tap opportunities in the airspace sector in the country, United Technologies India today said it is at advanced discussion stage for floating five joint ventures in engine-component manufacturing.

Vivek Saxena, Country Manager, Pratt and Whitney, a United Technology Company that designs and manufactures aircraft engines, said these joint ventures were expected to be floated in a year's time, with one of them to be announced shortly.

The joint-venture approach would help in ensuring operational control and in developing the suppliers' standard, he said. The company at present has 16 aerospace suppliers.

"The idea is to develop an aerospace eco-system", by developing aerospace capabilities in India, Saxena said.

United Technologies India is also expected to increase its head count in its Bangalore office from 50 to 80 in the next two years, he added. The company would hire project managers and those who could develop the local aerospace suppliers to reach international standards, he said.

The "biggest current hurdle", Saxena observed, was a lack of specialised expertise in the manufacturing sector.

To bridge the gap, the company is looking at collaborating with top academic institutions, he said. It would look at offering paid internship programmes and training to students.

The company also intends to hire local talent, returning Indians and expats to bridge the deficit, he said.