Aerostructures Assemblies India Pvt Ltd (AAI) Delivers First Batch of Aircraft Structural Assemblies to Saab

BELGAUM, India, February 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Aerostructures Assemblies India Pvt Ltd (AAI), has delivered its first batch of Aircraft Structural Assemblies to Saab. The assemblies are for the Airbus A380 program. The first batch of assemblies has been successfully delivered within just four months of  inauguration of the Greenfield facility . These assemblies will be delivered by Saab to Airbus as part of a larger assembly. AAI is a joint venture company of QuEST Global Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd. and Saab AB, incorporated in Feb 2013.

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Aerostructures Assemblies India Pvt Ltd (AAI), has rolled out the first batch of A380 structural assemblies on 21^st February, 2014 from their facility in Belgaum (India). The assemblies will be delivered to Saab, Linkoping (Sweden). Saab would in turn deliver the assemblies to Airbus, Filton (UK). These assemblies are part of the mid and outer leading edge (wing section) of the A380 aircraft, developed and produced by Saab. The manufacturing processes associated with these assemblies are classified as "Special Processes" and only Airbus approved suppliers are authorized to manufacture these parts.

Airbus specifies strict requirements for the assembly processes involved. In order to fulfil these requirements AAI has defined detailed work instructions & inspection guidelines and set up a robust manufacturing system to enable the manufacturing of these assemblies. The Manufacturing Engineers, Quality Engineers, Production Operators and Quality Inspectors involved in the manufacturing of these products have undergone rigorous training for over 6 months, including 3 months at Saab's facility in Sweden. AAI secured Airbus Process Qualification Approval in January 2014.

Lars Jensen, Managing Director of Saab's business unit Aerostructures said, "after one and half year of industrious work from the Saab, QuEST and foremost the AAI team, we are proud to see the first parts being shipped to our assembly line in Sweden. This partnership in India will provide additional resources for us in order to cope with the increasing production rates. We are convinced that this cost-efficient assembly shop will be a valuable supplier to the aerospace industry in the coming years."

AAI's Belgaum facility is spread over 25,500 Sq. Ft currently and employs 28 personnel and is expected to further expand upto 65,500 sq. feet in next five years, employing close to 400 personnel. Given the capabilities of its parent companies, AAI is uniquely placed to provide the full scope of services which covers supply of aerospace assemblies, including management of detail parts sourcing, to Airbus, Boeing and all other Aerospace Tier 1s who are looking to source more work out of India.

On this occasion, Aravind Melligeri, CEO of QuEST Global Manufacturing said, "I would like to congratulate the team at AAI for getting the first delivery of the A-380 assembly out within the short duration of 4 months from inauguration of the greenfield facility."

About Aerostructures Assemblies India

Aerostructures Assemblies India (AAI) is a joint venture between QuEST Global Manufacturing, India and Saab AB, Sweden established to manufacture and supply aerostructure assemblies. QuEST Global Manufacturing and Saab AB, hold 74% and 26% stake in the joint venture, respectively.

Aerostructures Assemblies India is located in Belgaum, Karnataka, India where QuEST Global has developed a fully operational Aerospace Ecosystem in the form of a Special Economic Zone and, where its manufacturing operations, QuEST Global Manufacturing is located. AAI is focused on build-to-print assemblies (for both Commercial as well as Defence Aircrafts) for the emerging markets and to harness defense offset opportunities available currently in the Indian market. AAI's core competency will be manufacturing Aerostructure Assemblies with approximate maximum size of 2.5 x 2.5 meters, weight of upto 100 kgs and with a mix of metal and composite parts.

More information is available at: http://www.aeroassembliesindia.com

About Saab AB

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers' changing needs.

More information is available at: http://www.saabgroup.com

SOURCE QuEST Global