Source: ainonline.com
The following is an excerpt of a post on ainonline.com (Aviation International News online publication) about Collins Aerospace’s expanding business.
PUEBLO, Colo. – Collins Aerospace is pouring millions into expanding facilities, machinery, and employee bases at its Landing Systems businesses as it works to keep up with growth across its markets. This has included an $80 million expansion at its carbon-brake center in Pueblo, Colo.; plans for another expansion at a second carbon site in Spokane, Washington; and increased personnel and machinery at landing gear sites in Poland and Canada.
“It’s a very good time to be in aerospace these days,” said Ajay Mahajan, vice president of the Landing Systems unit. “We continue to feel pretty good about our conditions going forward and we will continue to strive to maintain that advantage by our investments.”
Collins produces wheels and brakes and/or landing gear for the spectrum of commercial aircraft, and executives agree much of the growth the Landing Systems business unit is experiencing is driven by healthy airliner order books. However, the company also sees a steady business and new opportunities in the business aviation market, as well as increasing interest in the military side, particularly with strategic programs such as the F35.
“We’re seeing a fair amount of expansion across the board,” agreed Samir Mehta, president of Collins Aerospace’s Mechanical Systems business lines, which includes Landing Systems. “We’re seeing it certainly in commercial, and that’s single aisle and double aisle. Our customers have strong backlogs and strong order books on them, so that’s driving a lot of the demand.”
On the business aviation side, executives see potential as Landing Systems—a legacy United Technologies Aerospace Systems (UTAS) business—continues to capitalize on the well-established relationships that came with its recently merged Rockwell Collins partner.
