Engineering news
GKN Aerospace produces major wing components
GKN Aerospace is to seek aggressive expansion in Asia in an attempt to become an “elite tier 1” with manufacturing plants around the world.
The move, possibly through acquisition, come three years after GKN Aerospace tried to establish a joint venture with the Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Company (SAMC) in China. The tie-up, to cover the manufacturing development for structures for the Comac 919 twin-turbofan, narrowbody aircraft, came to an end with GKN's then chief executive Marcus Bryson citing a disparity of views around technical solutions and commercial terms.
But new boss Kevin Cummings is determined to reignite overseas expansion. He said: “We will go into Asia in a big way. We do not have the presence we need in Asia and we will remedy that. We are an acquisitive company and that will stay so. We are actively looking.
“The plan is to become an elite tier 1 – a truly global company where the sun never sets on our business.”
GKN Aerospace employs hundreds of engineers in the UK
GKN Aerospace employs 12,300 people across 40 manufacturing plants, making wing, fuselage, nacelle and pylon components, as well as engine static and rotating structures. It also designs and builds sophisticated transparency and ice protection systems.
The company has enjoyed booming markets in the civil aerospace sector in recent years, being involved on several major programmes including the Airbus A350XWB and A320Neo, and the Boeing 737Max. It recently opened a new site in Washington in the US to supply winglets for the 737Max. “We can now plug and play straight into Boeing's factories,” said Cummings.
Meanwhile, in terms of technology, GKN is on the verge of commercialising electron beam powder bed additive layer manufacturing processes. And it claimed that the technology, which builds parts from powdered titanium rather than subtracting from a billet, would deliver substantial price reductions to its customers.
“We are moving into the production of parts,” said Russ Dunn, senior vice president, engineering and technology, at GKN Aerospace. “We believe it will deliver 25% cost reductions to our customers because of improved material utilisation.”
GKN Aerospace is also looking at large-scale deposition and fine deposition additive layer techniques. “We have active dialogue with customers on all of these technologies,” said Dunn.
GKN Aerospace has been working on additive layer techniques for several years, with its Filton site near Bristol becoming a global centre of excellence. Dunn said efforts had been expended on both processes and certification. “Any company in the world can make additive components. The challenge is to certify them so that you know they perfectly meet functional requirements.
“We have spent a number of years learning how to go through certification. We have a clear plan.”
Kevin Cummings, chief executive of GKN Aerospace