GKN Aerospace, COMAC, and AVIC to Manufacture Advanced Aerostructures

After the start-up period, the scope of the joint venture will be extended to include design and development capability.

November 19, 2018

Courtney E. Howard

GKN Aerospace, COMAC subsidiary Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Company (SAMC), and Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC International) are establishing a joint venture based in China to manufacture advanced aerostructures for the civil aerospace market, with production scheduled to begin in late 2021 in a new state-of-the-art facility in a location yet to be determined.

The joint venture will manufacture products for the Asian aerospace market, a key growth area for the future, officials say, while opening new business opportunities for GKN Aerospace’s aerostructures business and partners. As a result of the joint venture, GKN Aerospace and its partners will offer customers both metallic and composite technologically advanced aerostructures. After the start-up period, the scope of the joint venture will be extended to include design and development capability.

The expansion to Asia is an important part of GKN Aerospace’s long-term growth strategy and global operating model. With this Chinese joint venture, GKN Aerospace’s business will have its first aerostructures venture in the Asian-Pacific region. GKN Aerospace announced a new wiring systems plant in Pune, India, this summer and GKN Aerospace opened a new aero-engine repair and research plant in Johor Malaysia in October. GKN Aerospace now operates seven facilities in Asia, delivering wiring systems, transparencies, and services in China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Turkey.

“This will be the first aerostructures venture for GKN Aerospace in China. It strengthens our enduring partnership and commitment with this country,” says John Pritchard, CEO Aerostructures and Systems Europe and Asia. “We need to be close to our customers and partners and support the solid growth of the aerospace industry in China.”

GKN Aerospace is a multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier, serving the world’s aircraft manufacturers. GKN Aerospace develops, builds, and supplies an extensive range of advanced aerospace systems, components and technologies – for use in aircraft ranging from helicopters and business jets to the most used single-aisle aircraft and the largest passenger planes in the world.

Lightweight composites , additive manufacturing , innovative engine systems, and smart transparencies help to reduce emissions and weight on the aircraft and enhance passenger comfort. GKN Aerospace provides aerostructures, engine systems, transparencies, and wiring systems and operates in 14 countries at 51 manufacturing locations employing approximately 17,000 people.

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Courtney E. Howard is editorial director and content strategist at SAE International, Aerospace Products Group. Contact her by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..