GKN Aerospace focuses on growing aero-engines activity in the business aviation sector

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GKN Aerospace has positioned itself as a market-leading supplier of fixed and rotating, metallic and composite engine products. The Company sees the growth of its presence in aero-engines for the business aviation sector as a core focus over the next 5 years.

Marcus Bryson, Chief Executive of GKN Aerospace, comments: "With a predicted 20 year market growth forecast of more than 140% across business aviation, representing over 50,000 engines, this is clearly a key market for us and we have extended and strengthened our aero-engine operation to meet the needs of the business jet market in the coming years."

The Company has achieved growth across its aero-engine business, both organically and through the acquisition of Teleflex Aerospace Manufacturing Group, a leading manufacturer of complex engine components. The aero-engine operation now accounts for just under 25% of the total $1.5bn turnover for GKN Aerospace. GKN Aerospace is a supplier on major biz jet engine programmes such as the Honeywell TFE731 and HTF7000 engines; and the Pratt & Whitney Canada 600 series of engines which includes the PW610, PW615 and PW617 for the Eclipse, Mustang and Phenom 100 Very Light Jets respectively. GKN Aerospace supplies cases for all three engines in addition to the duct assembly for the PW610.

Mike Beck, President & CEO Engine Products, states: "Forecasts indicate that the largest area of growth in business aviation is expected to be in the medium to large business jet category. This segment of the market will require new 7-12,000lb thrust engines and it is important to GKN Aerospace - Engine Products Division as the new engines will require blisks in the fan/compressor as opposed to bladed discs."

In this new, larger biz jet engine, OEMs are designing engines using blisks, as these not only reduce the parts count and manufacturing lead times but are also lighter and more efficient than conventional bladed discs. In the biz jet sector, GKN Aerospace - Engine Products is already supplying blisks for the CFE738 Honeywell engine used on the Dassault Falcon 2000. By developing its existing blisk technologies and equipment, GKN Aerospace - Engine Products plans to expand its blisk business over the next three years.

GKN Aerospace - Engine Products is also positioning itself to lead the way in the supply of complete engine modules. This involves replacing numerous component contracts with a limited number of engine module contracts, for example the fan module, comprising fan, case, shaft and bearing, whereby GKN Aerospace would undertake the responsibility for the development, manufacture and supply chain management of the module before delivery to the customer for final integration into the engine. This will simplify programme management and make the final integration of the module a far less complex and time consuming task for our customers.

Beck continues: "GKN Aerospace is discussing integrated module manufacture with a number of aero-engine manufacturers, including those in the business aviation sector. This is a major partnership role, suitable for companies such as GKN Aerospace which has extensive technical expertise, an extremely strong financial base and a successful track record in supply chain management." Simultaneously, the Company is maintaining and growing its integrated propulsion systems business. GKN Aerospace designed and certified the integrated propulsion power system for the Honeywell HTF7000 engine which powers the Bombardier Challenger 300. The Company is a supplier to manufacturers such as Dassault, Rolls-Royce and Gulfstream, providing nacelle systems with fewer components and therefore lower product and life-cycle costs for the operator.

Bryson concludes: "In 5 years we aim to have grown existing relationships across business aviation engine manufacturers and to have strong partnerships enabling us to explore the advantages of emerging technologies and new directions."