Manufacturing Commences at Smiths Facility in China
LE BOURGET, France--June 13, 2005--Smiths Aerospace is pleased to announce the start of phase 2 manufacturing in their structures facility in Suzhou, Jiang Su province, China. The construction of this phase was complete last month and accommodates the manufacturing of sheet metal airframe fabrications and composite materials for the civil marketplace. The facility today has about 100 employees; this total will rise to approximately 200 as the expanded facility comes into full production in 2006."We are excited about the extensive growth opportunities in China," commented Dr. John Ferrie, President, Smiths Aerospace. "China brings the advantages of a highly skilled and competitive workforce."
Phase one of the facility manufactures precision-machined aircraft engine components and was officially opened 29th April 2004. The two buildings are about equal in size and total approximately 134,000 sq. ft. The facility is located 80 kilometres west of Shanghai. 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 a leading transatlantic aerospace equipment and systems company, with sales of $2 billion and more than 10,000 employees worldwide. Smiths holds key positions in the supply chains on all major military and civil aircraft and engine manufactures. Strategically organized businesses focus on digital computing, electrical power, mechanical systems, engine components and customer services. www.smiths-aerospace.com