Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) will set up a new factory in Nagasaki to produce combustor parts for the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM turbofan.
“MHI is anticipating continued growth of its aero engine business, and in establishing the new facility the company looks to strengthen its global competitiveness by developing a highly advanced engine parts production line, to grow aero engines into one of MHI Group's core businesses,” it says.
The PW1100G is an option on the Airbus A320neo family.
Construction will commence in October, with operations to start in 2020. It will be operated by engine unit MHIAEL (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Aero Engines).
In a 2018 interview with FlightGlobal, MHIAEL president and chief executive Katsuyuki Shimauchi outlined two paths for the company to grow: high value parts for engine programmes and expanded MRO operations.
MHIAEL is 89% owned by MHI. The other shareholders are the Development Bank of Japan with a 10% stake, and Japanese engine maker IHI with 1%. It sees combustion chambers as a core competency.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
