Aequs (formerly QuEST Global Manufacturing), one of the fastest growing aerospace manufacturing companies in India, and Magellan Aerospace, a global aerospace leader, today announced plans for an expansion to their JV plant in Aequs SEZ at Belgaum, India as a measure to further strengthen their capabilities in the growing global aerospace market.

The API plant expansion is aimed at enhancing aerospace special processes. The expanded facility will mainly cater to processes such as Tartaric Sulphuric Acid (TSA) anodizing and Cadmium plating for the aerospace OEMs.

The existing API plant located at Aequs SEZ provides aerospace surface treatment facilities which are not readily available in India. API is uniquely positioned to provide metal finishing treatment services for both the export market and the domestic market in India.

Aravind Melligeri, Chairman and CEO, Aequs said, "We are delighted to expand and enhance our seven-year partnership with Magellan for special processing in aerospace through this new capability at API. This will also add to India's expertise in the aerospace manufacturing sector and help us grow the aerospace market in the country."

"API is a trailblazer in India in aerospace special processing. This TSA certification from Airbus will not only add to its considerable range of capabilities but also enhance API's ability to deliver finished components with short lead times. In addition, we will now be able to bid for global contracts that call for TSA and Cadmium plating," added Melligeri.

The plant expansion will be operational by January 2015. The new TSA line is a newly developed technology to replace the more hazardous traditional Chromic Acid anodizing.

Commenting on Airbus approval for TSA line, Phillip Underwood, President, Magellan Aerospace said, "The expansion of the API processing facility, and the addition of the TSA line, is a strategic investment that complements Magellan's growing presence in India. Magellan's approach to providing customers innovative solutions is based on balancing investment, technology, and capability to increase the value of our offerings. With soaring aerospace growth, this expansion of our capabilities in the Indian market will ensure that we are prepared to meet the growing needs of our customers with the cost-effective and quality solutions that they have come to expect."

According to Airbus' latest market forecast, Indian carriers will require 1,290 new passenger aircraft valued at US$190 billion between now and 2032 to meet the surging annual demand. The Indian annual passenger traffic growth rate is 8.6 per cent, a figure well above the regional Asia Pacific average growth rate of 6.1 per cent and the world average 4.7 percent.