API Inaugurates Phase II Facility at AEQUS SEZ
15 June, Belagavi
Bringing in niche technology that can help boost the Indian aerospace industry, Aerospace Processing India Pvt. Ltd (API) Wednesday inaugurated its Phase II facility here to accommodate additional capacity and capabilities supporting water-based paint, solid film lubricant, sulfuric acid anodizing, zinc-nickel plating and additional processes under development.
The current, fully integrated, modular facility utilizes 40,000 sq. ft. and employed 150 people.
API, a joint venture between Aequs and Canada based aerospace major Magellan Aerospace and located at Aequs SEZ in Belagavi, Karnataka, was the first third-party facility in India to be approved by both Airbus and Boeing.
This new expansion will accommodate the API facility also houses the environmentally-friendly tartaric sulfuric acid (TSA) anodizing line approved by Airbus. In addition, cadmium plating line is alsocoming on line this year.
API was the first in India to achieve NADCAP accreditation for Chemical Processing, Surface Enhancement and NDT, which is widely demanded across the aerospace industry. API is also AS9100certified. Maintaining these credentials is essential in sustaining customer confidence, reducing risks, and ensuring industry compliance.
Aravind Melligeri, Aequs Chairman & CEO the parent company of API said, “We are continuing to grow and develop critical capabilities in India’s aerospace manufacturing sector. This expansion will keepAPI at the forefront of aerospace special processing expertise in India and facilitate further growth across the global Aerospace supply chain.”
He said the company had invested Rs 32 crore in the expanded unit which had facilities like surface treatme, aluminum and titanium etching, robotic shot pening and approved cadmium plating.
Phil Underwood, President and CEO, Magellan Aerospace said Magellan has long-viewed our operations in India as fundamental to Magellan’s global growth strategy and to deliver value to its customers.
”The API facility and our relationship with Aequs has met Magellan’s expectations and we are confident that this expansion and adoption of increased capabilities will enhance API’s presence in the developing Indian aerospace industry,” he said.
Speaking after inaugurating the new facility Minister for Industry R V Deshpande said new facility which reinforces the organisation’s capabilities and its contribution towards industrial growth and also creating additional employment opportunities have made Karnataka proud once again. This development in Belagavi isinstrumental in growth of the Aerospace Industry in India.”
Melligeri said public sector defence and aerospace majors like HAL, GTRE, DRDO besides ISRO had evinced keen interest in coproducing components at the API facility and it would soon happen.
He said API had been growing at a rate of 30 per cent and over and the joint venture had helped the company bring top class aerospace technology to the private sector in India. ”So far only HAL had an inhouse facility in this line,” he added.