GKN Aerospace says that is has gained more than $2.5bn worth of new business since the beginning of 2007.
CEO Marcus Bryson says: “Since 2002 our company has achieved average annual growth of around 20% per year, in part through organic growth and in part through completing a series of carefully planned strategic acquisitions.
“Today we are a truly balanced business, with global interests and activities across defence and civil aviation. By 2017 we aim to double sales again to reach $4bn which we believe will give us the operating scale necessary to allow us to make a real difference in the global aerospace industry.”
Recent key business wins have included wing spars and trailing edge work on the Airbus A350; the design and development of the aft transition section of the Sikorsky CH-53K fuselage; the supply of blended winglets for the Boeing 737 and 767; and design and manufacture of the complete composite fuselage for the HondaJet.
GKN Aerospace has been a driving force in the use of composites and has entered into a joint venture with Rolls-Royce to investigate composite materials for engine fan blades. It is also extending its electrochemical machining (ECM) capability and technology.
Mike Beck, CEO and president, propulsion systems and special products, explains: “ECM is a core capability for us. Products manufactured using this process offer real benefits in reducing the parts count and engine weight as well as improving the structural integrity and efficiency of the engine.
“The integrated bladed rotors, or ‘blisk’ market in particular is one where we expect to experience increasing demand. This market is one that conservative estimates predict will see around 400% growth in the next five or six years.”
The company's composites research centre is also in the final stages of work on the three-year Integrated Wing, Advanced Technology Verification Programme (IW-ATVP), which is trialling new manufacturing processes for composite aircraft wing ribs, skins and spars.
By the end of 2008, it will have produced a full “closed cell box” demonstrator using automated tape laying, hot drape forming, microwave curing, self-heated tooling, composite fastening and melding.
Source: Flight International
