SP’s Aviation (SP’s): The need for consolidation and expansion. Why the new facilities?

Stephen Timm (Timm): The new Collins India Operations Centre and Global Engineering and Technology Centre (GETC) in Bengaluru are part of a long-term growth strategy for Raytheon Technologies in India and globally to maximise collaboration and innovation providing cutting edge solutions for customers and provide additional STEM-based opportunities in the country.

More than 3,000 engineers will be moving into the 4,13,000 square-foot Global Engineering and Technology Centre at Northgate Tech Park. Collins’ India Operations Centre spans 26 acres and there will be about 1,700 employees at the new manufacturing site once it is fully completed in 2026.

In the long term, both sites will accelerate innovations in R&D and manufacturing, powering our ability to provide cutting edge solutions for our customers, as well as bring economies of scale to support future growth and customer requirements.

SP’s: What are the future investments in engineering and manufacturing capabilities planned for in India?

Timm: Collins has been committed to the aerospace industry in India for 25 years, and we’ve grown to our current headcount of 5,000 employees in the country who are directly advancing key innovations, R&D and STEM opportunities in the local market for the long term.

As a sign of our long-term commitment, Collins will invest an additional $200 million in manufacturing and engineering capabilities, as well as hire an additional 2,000 highly skilled employees in the Indian aerospace and defence sector over the next five years to support Make-in-India.

The investments will be focused on scaling up our capabilities and manpower to support future growth in India. We’ll invest in the design and construction of additional buildings and spaces at both sites to accommodate new features such as research laboratories and manufacturing lines for new products.

SP’s: How can India realise its ambitions of being an aerospace and defence superpower?

Timm: With India expected to become the world’s third-largest aviation market by 2024, technologies such as smart factories hold the key to the A&D sector’s competitiveness in the future. The A&D industry has greatly improved its cost and operational efficiency due to the integration of webbased applications and advanced technologies. The ecosystem will only evolve as these technologies advance and get smarter.

India is strategic to the global growth and investment strategy of all Raytheon Technologies’ businesses, including Collins

For enterprises aiming to undergo a digital transformation in the aerospace and defence sector, keeping up with the most recent technological advancements can be a challenge. However, when used strategically, these technologies can offer a significant competitive advantage that streamlines essential processes, increasing the effectiveness, safety, and efficiency of operations.

SP’s: Why is India important to Collins’ global strategy?

Timm: India is strategic to the global growth and investment strategy of all Raytheon Technologies’ businesses, including Collins, and India’s progressive government policies, good governance and huge pool of English-speaking talent will help drive the country’s contributions as a global leader in aerospace and defence.

We believe the India growth story looks very promising over the next two to three decades.

COLLINS AEROSPACE OPENS NEW ENGINEERING AND GLOBAL OPERATIONS CENTRES IN INDIA

• New facilities are key first step of larger Raytheon Technologies investment and growth strategy in India
• Plan is to house more than 5,000 Collins and Raytheon Technologies employees, with additional sites set to open early 2023

Inauguration of Collins Aerospace new Global Engineering and Technology Center (GETC) in Bengaluru

As part of a significant investment to expand its engineering, digital technology, and manufacturing operations in India, Collins Aerospace, a unit of Raytheon Technologies Corp., has officially inaugurated its new Global Engineering and Technology Center (GETC) and Collins India Operations Center in Bengaluru. The new sites are part of a long-term growth strategy for Raytheon Technologies in India and globally to maximise collaboration and innovation providing cutting edge solutions for customers and provide additional STE M-based opportunities in the country.

Approximately 3,000 engineers from three other Collins Aerospace locations in Bengaluru, as well as about 600 personnel from other Raytheon Technologies’ group of companies will be moving into the 4,13,000 square-foot GETC at Northgate Tech Park to facilitate collaboration across the company’s businesses, with plans to expand its footprint on the 3-acre land next year with new capabilities. Pratt & Whitney’s United Technologies Corporation India Pvt Ltd (UTCIPL) contract engineering services is also planned to open in early 2023 in the same location.

“The opening of these new facilities in Bengaluru shows our continued commitment in India, expanding our capabilities and accelerating transformative technologies for a safer, more connected and sustainable world,” said Dr Mauro Atalla, Senior Vice President, Engineering & Technology for Collins Aerospace. “The GETC India organisation supports Collins’ six strategic business units and is crucial to the continued success of our global businesses.”

Kevin Myers, Vice President and Head of Enterprise Operations at Collins Aerospace said “The new Collins India Operations Center located at KIADB Aerospace Park spans 26 acres across the Hitech Defence and Aerospace Park and will help Collins bring operational synergy and economies of scale, as well as support future growth opportunities and customer requirements. We will host some 1,700 employees at the new site once it is fully completed in 2026.”

Both new Collins sites have been designed to the latest standards for sustainable construction. GETC has been certified with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Platinum Rating with solar power capabilities, zero water discharge facilities and other features. The Collins India Operations Center is Industry 4.0 compliant, and its Building Management System (BMS) is a connected ecosystem which helps monitor and control air, water, temperature, and humidity at critical process points to help maintain product quality with quick issue resolution. The Collins India Operations Center has also received USGBC Silver and IGBC Gold building certification, and the campus is an energy efficient site with best practices followed in line with BEE-India & Global Best Management Practices.