Dr. Krishnamurthy, Mahindra Systech, "Growth in India-based Space-Launch and
Satellite Development Programmes will Greatly Boost Composite Consumption"
Mahindra Systech, started in 2004 as an automotive component supplier, consists
of 3 core divisions: Mahindra Engineering Services (MES), Sourcing Unit and the
Manufacturing Unit. MES has been providing design and delivery services to the global
automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing industry. The aerospace manufacturing division
has been involved in tool design/development and prototyping/manufacturing of jigs
& fixtures, metal, composite components and assemblies. The Aerospace Division
is an AS9100 Rev. B certified design organization embodying decades of experience
in global aerospace design and development programs.
In 2006, M&M also acquired an aerospace engineering firm Plexion Technologies.
Mahindra Defence Systems has traditionally been providing solutions for the light
combat / armored vehicles for defence forces. Chief Technology Officer, Mahindra
Aerospace, Dr. Karthik Krishnamurthy shares his companies experience with
Lucintel. Excerpts:
1. What are the key drivers for composite consumption in Aerospace industry?
Dr. Krishnamurthy: The global trend in aero-structures for both
civil and defense applications is very well-established in favour of high-technology
composites.
2. Key challenges faced by composite end-users in India?
Dr. Krishnamurthy: Restricted availability of aerospace-grade raw
materials is a challenge for local manufactures that is not easily overcome. Developing
the capability to cost-effectively manufacture this material domestically is an
immense challenge. Small domestic consumption volumes make it unattractive for global
material manufacturers to pay much attention to this market.
3. Tell us about the impact of government policies on aerospace industry?
Dr. Krishnamurthy: The offset policy encourages global aerospace
OEMs to procure high-technology components from India, and defense aero-structures
are largely composite-based. Labour cost arbitrage encourages manufacture of any
labour-intensive parts and assemblies in India.
4. Do you see high-potential for composites in the Indian market? If yes, what are
some of reasons for the same?
Dr. Krishnamurthy: Potential growth in India-based space-launch
and satellite development (under the ISRO umbrella) as a commercial service to other
nations is also a driver for domestic production of high-technology products using
composites.
5. Steps required in making India an export hub for Aerospace components?
Dr. Krishnamurthy: For us to be an export hub we need to be globally
competitive on quality, cost and consistency. Bilateral equivalencies between our
Government with regulatory agencies such as EASA and FAA are vital to relieve the
individual industries from chasing regulatory certification on their own resources.
6. Steps required to be taken by aerospace industry to be able to compete with more
developed industries in the west?
Dr. Krishnamurthy:
The global aero manufacturing industry is characterized by certifications (customer-specific
+ industry-specific + regulatory), and Indian private industry has not been widely
exposed to the expectations of the global aerospace OEMs.
Our industry has to ramp up to meet global quality and certification expectations,
managing rejection rates and costs of manufacture to stay ahead of other nations.
This propagates back to the availability of world-class training to produce world-class
skill sets at all stages of the manufacturing chain.
7. Government support and policies change that is required to encourage exports
of composite components?
Dr. Krishnamurthy: With all major aerospace OEMs being located
in the West, we have a geographic disadvantage compared to other low-cost countries
(such as Brazil and Mexico), which increases pressure on cost-competition. Government
policies that boost our global cost-competitiveness are critically important.