Rolls-Royce and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have commenced construction of a new manufacturing facility in Bangalore. This state-of-the-art facility is owned by the International Aerospace Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd. (IAMPL) a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and HAL, formed in 2010.
The new facility, built on a 7,200 sq. m. area, will produce components for the technologically advanced Trent family of civil aero engines, as well as for a number of marine and energy gas turbines.
The plant located near the HAL airport will go on stream in 2012. IAMPL will incorporate the latest Rolls-Royce manufacturing techniques and will create job opportunities for highly skilled technicians and engineers in India.
P. V. Deshmukh, Chairman, HAL, in a release said “Rolls-Royce and HAL have been strategic partners since 1956 when HAL started producing the Orpheus engine under licence. As a result of our strong collaboration, we have progressively contributed to the development of the Indian aerospace industry. This ground-breaking event marks a milestone in the relationship between both companies that will extend well into the future.”
Anil Shrikhande, India President for Rolls-Royce, said, “This new manufacturing facility demonstrates our commitment to the long-standing partnership with HAL. We plan to develop IAMPL as a centre of excellence. IAMPL furthers our common objective of enhancing high value-added manufacturing in India and will also contribute to the country's growing aerospace and technology industry.”
Rolls-Royce started its association with the Indian aerospace sector in 1932 with its Gypsy engines on the first Tata Aviation aircraft. Today, it has customers in each of the company's global market sector — civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy. Together, there are more than 1,300 Rolls-Royce engines in service in India.
Rolls-Royce has about 200 employees in India and 650 engineers work on a sub-contract basis in engineering centres in Bangalore.
