Pratt & Whitney Canada's new Russian subsidiary, formed after the break-up of the engine joint venture with Klimov, is planning to establish a network of subcontractors to make parts within Russia. Klimov's resistance to such outsourcing was a key reason behind the break-up of the original venture.
P&WC Rus was formed at the end of August, when P&WC finally bought out Klimov's 49%in their joint venture (Flight International, 20-26 August).
P&WC marketing and international business development manager Joseph Torchetti says that the split came as a result of "radically different" opinions over the course of the venture, including the issue of outsourcing.
Klimov had hoped that P&WC would install a full production plant at the venture's St Petersburg base, while the Canadian company believed that there was already sufficient production capacity to be used elsewhere in Russia.
Alexander Sarkisov, Klimov general designer, has declined to discuss the split, referring to it only as a "divorce". P&WC plays down any acrimony, pointing out that Klimov still retains a fully operational PT-6 test cell which may be used by the Canadian manufacturer in future.
P&WC has now surveyed the production potential of nine possible suppliers in Russia, including the Kazan and Perm plants. "There are at least 43 engine parts which we want manufactured in Russia," says Torchetti.
The new company will now work on "a variety of projects, from the PW300, to the PT6 turboprop to new projects for the future", says P&WC. The Russian subsidiary is intended to make Russia part of P&WC's global sourcing strategy as the market in the region opens up, the company explains.
The P&WC PW206 turboshaft is already being included on the Kazan Ansat light helicopter.
Source: Flight International
