UK-headquartered engineering giant GKN Aerospace's presence here has been given extra lustre by its pre-show announcement of an $855 million contract extension from Boeing.
The deal, successor to an initial five-year contract that carried no guarantee of additional work, covers the supply of metallic and composite airframe components for the F/A-18, C-17 and F-15.
It follows a $40 million investment programme carried out at GKN's St Louis, USA, site since the company acquired the former Boeing Fabrication Operations three years ago. Resulting improvements include the introduction of high-speed machining equipment. The site has also seen the implementation of the GKN Aerospace Production System, a lean-manufacturing initiative calling for increased employee focus on safety, quality, delivery and cost.
St Louis site executive Mike Beck says the extra spending has led to reduced prices, improved quality and reduced response times.
GKN Aerospace capabilities include engine fan-blade repair. Visitors to the company's stand at the show (A644) can inspect three CFM56-3 blades showing typical birdstrike and ice damage, alongside an in-process repair and a fully restored blade.
GKN company Chem-tronics is a leading supplier of repairs in Asia-Pacific, serving most of the leading long-haul carriers in the region.
Also featured on the stand are transparencies for windows and windshields for Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and an F-5 fighter windshield.
Source: Flight Daily News
