Aerostructures Assemblies (AAIPL), a joint venture between Aequs Aerospace and Saab AB, celebrated an important milestone with the completion of 100th shipset each of Over Wing Exit Doors (OWED), skeleton assemblies and Door 3 Plugs (D3P).
The shipsets were completed well on time by AAIPL establishing the company’s competencies in complex assembly of the D3P, and strikingly rapid industrialization and high build rate for the OWED.
Though initiated on different dates, it is remarkable that both the projects achieved this significant milestone in a matter of 29 months (for D3P) and 11 months (for OWED). The D3P assembly manifests an intricate build-to-print assembly, while the OWED skeleton is mapped for a steeper build rate requirement.
The occasion was graced by Rémi MAILLARD, President & Managing Director at Airbus India & South Asia along with Thierry CLOUTET, Head of Procurement, India & South Asia at Airbus at the Aequs SEZ in Belagavi.
Rajeev Kaul, MD & CEO, Aequs Aerospace, said: “It is indeed an honour for us to celebrate this major milestone. Airbus is an important customer and the delivery of these 100 shipsets, in partnership with Saab, is testimony to our extreme customer focus. That we were able to complete the projects well in time despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, shows our resolve to deliver against all odds to stringent customer requirements. This is also a confirmation of our engineering prowess and capability to carry out complex aerostructure assemblies here in India.”
AAIPL has established itself as a strong supply chain player and has been making door plugs for Airbus’ A321neo Cabin Flex configuration since 2017. It has been producing wing panels and D-nose assemblies for the A380 program since 2014. Besides end products, its capabilities also include the development of assembly tools, jigs, and fixtures for domestic business.
The AAIPL facility is located within the Aequs SEZ, the country’s first Notified Precision Engineering Special Economic Zone (SEZ), at Belagavi, Karnataka. Aequs has been recognized by Airbus as a top Detailed Parts Partner (D2P) since 2016. The company has vertically integrated multiple stages of the supply chain – from forging and machining to assembly and surface treatment – at its SEZ spanning 250+ acres.
Headquartered in Belagavi, India, Aequs has manufacturing facilities in the US and France as well. It also holds the distinction of being India’s fastest growing precision manufacturing company and among a handful of Indian companies with the capability to deliver to global clientele such as Airbus, Boeing, Collins Aerospace, Safran, Eaton, Honeywell Aerospace, Bombardier, and Dassault to name a few. Aequs continues to consolidate the supply chain and embrace state-of-the-art technologies that would further boost the ecosystem.