Honeywell has opened a new environmental testing laboratory in Puerto Rico's Las Américas Technology Park. The state-of-the-art lab will test and research Honeywell's cockpit electronics, or avionics, and related components and equipment. The lab reproduces many of the real-world flying environments encountered and how Honeywell's aviation portfolio keeps planes and passengers safe and systems operating flawlessly and more efficiently around the world. This engineering facility also enables the company to expand its expertise in electromagnetic interference and compatibility testing.

“Honeywell technology has helped the aerospace industry become safer, more powerful and more efficient for more than 100 years. We were able to do this because we put a concerted effort into making sure our technology and products can withstand and survive any flying environment that could be encountered during operation anywhere in the world,” said Tim Mahoney, president and CEO, Honeywell Aerospace. “It's critical for us to continue this legacy, and as aircraft and operating environments become more complex and challenging, this innovative facility and type of testing plays an important role in achieving flawless flying for our customers.”

The grand opening was attended by Honeywell Aerospace executives; Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla; Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce Alberto Bacó Bagué; and Antonio Medina, executive director of the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company.

The demand for Honeywell's electromagnetic compatibility and environmental testing is expected to increase over the next several years, and the new lab ensures the company has the capacity to meet the increasing workload that puts its technology through conditions that simulate lightning, environmental changes and other factors that could potentially cause equipment interference in operation.

“We would like to congratulate Honeywell Aerospace on the grand inauguration of the new facility in Puerto Rico,” said Anup Uppadhayay, executive vice president, chief executive officer and managing director, Infosys BPO. “We started our center in Puerto Rico in March 2015 by providing business process management services. Today, Puerto Rico, with its positive business environment and skilled workforce, is a key strategic location for Infosys.”

Puerto Rico was chosen as the location for the lab due to existing Honeywell Aerospace facilities, a strong and well-educated engineering workforce, local universities that focus on science, technology, engineering and math curriculum, and its recognition as a growing hub for the aerospace industry. This is Honeywell Aerospace's second facility in Puerto Rico and the company's third facility on the island. Honeywell's Automation and Controls Systems business has a facility in Guaynabo, dedicated to safety, energy and security systems for building solutions. Aerospace's first facility in Aguadilla is a key service center supporting aerospace operations and customers throughout the Americas. The site in Aguadilla hosts three engineering and one information technology development labs as well as finance and marketing organizations.