SUZHOU, China, April 29, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Smiths Aerospace (LSE:SMIN) today opens the first phase of its new 130,000 sq. ft. aerospace components manufacturing facility in Suzhou, Jiang Su province, China. The facility will initially manufacture precision-machined aircraft engine components for the civil marketplace, followed by sheet metal airframe components later this year. It is located in the Export Processing Zone of the Suzhou Industrial Park, which is 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. The facility will employ about 100 staff by year-end.
Dr. John Ferrie, Group Managing Director for Smiths Aerospace opened the facility along with Peter Wright, President, Smiths Aerospace Components, who is responsible for the Suzhou facility.
"We are excited to create a world class aerospace components manufacturing facility in Suzhou," said Dr. John Ferrie. "China brings the advantages of a highly skilled and competitive workforce. We have the responsibility of supporting one of Smiths' most important customers, General Electric Aircraft Engines, and we are confident in the ability of our team to deliver quality Smiths products on time."
Smiths Aerospace Components is a leader in engine ring manufacture, machining and fabrication technology, supplying gas turbine components to every major engine program worldwide. Smiths has long-term supply agreements with all leading engine companies and equips gas turbine engines from intake to exhaust. Other Smiths activities in China include a wholly owned PolyPhaser business in Shanghai, which is part of Smiths Interconnect, and a John Crane joint venture in Tianjin.
Smiths Aerospace is the leading transatlantic aerospace equipment company, with more than 9,000 staff and $1.6 billion revenue split between Europe and North America. Smiths Aerospace holds key positions in the supply chains on all major military and civil aircraft and engine manufactures supplying integrated solutions. Strategically organized businesses focus on systems in electronics and mechanical systems, engine components and customer services.