Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES
Hamilton Sundstrand plans to complete the integration of the former United Technologies' Hamilton Standard division and recently acquired Sundstrand by the end of the year. It is already offering new engine systems developed as a result of the 1999 take-over.
"Overall, it was a wonderful marriage," says engine systems vice-president and general manager Joseph Triompo.
"As far as the organisation and mechanisms are concerned, that's been completed. Factories will still be closed, downsized and opened and rationalisation will still take place." The Windsor Locks and East Windsor sites in Connecticut are to downsize, while an electronics manufacturing site in Puerto Rico is due to expand.
Employment, which was over 17,000 at the time of the take over, will be down to 16,000 by year end. Other changes include the movement of all composite propeller work to its Ratier-Figeac subsidiary in France, and consolidation of gearbox assembly work in Rockford, Illinois.
Further integration is planned to develop full-up systems capability with reduced parts count and other improvements.
"The next step is to take modules and eliminate some of the bolt-on parts," says Triompo.
Based on its new-found capabilities, engine systems is offering next generation fuel-control systems for the General Electric/Pratt & Whitney Engine Alliance GP7000 and Rolls-Royce Trent 900 programmes. Compared to current systems, the proposed Hamilton Sundstrand designs will have only seven major parts, be 20% cheaper per unit and 27% lighter, says the company.
Partly due to Sundstrand input, the company is keen to reduce its traditional link to P&W which accounts for 70% of its overall engine business. "By 2006-7, it may be divided roughly one-third each [between GE, P&W and R-R]," says Triompo who adds that "it is already like that as far as research and development is concerned".
In the future "our vision is to manage everything around the engine", says engine systems business development director, Roy Mainelli.
"We are talking about tubing, systems and harnesses. There's only so much you can save on components, but by building three or more systems together we think we can save a lot of dollars. We see our breadth as a competitive advantage, although in the future we will see greater competition from groups like Snemca Systems, ACES and Lockheed Martin/Woodward," he adds.
Source: Flight International
