Aero India 2009, Bangalore, India, February 12, 2009 - Aerospace Processing India (API) today announced the opening of its processing facility in Belgaum (Karnataka, India), to cater to the needs of the aerospace manufacturing industry. Located in the QuEST Global Precision Engineering SEZ, API is uniquely positioned to provide metal finishing treatment services for both the Indian export and domestic markets.

Magellan Aerospace Limited and QuEST Global established API as an independent operating company to provide approved aerospace treatments that are not readily available in India. The fully integrated, scalable facility has been operational from Jan 2009.

API has invested in capabilities, which would enable fulfilling the demand for sourcing fully finished parts from India. In the initial phase, the facility would be focused on processes for aluminum, titanium and stainless steel components for aero-structure and aero-engine components.

Konrad Hahnelt, Vice President of Magellan Aerospace Limited, and Aravind Melligeri, Chairman & Co-Founder of QuEST Global, have credited “close cooperation between teams from the co-ownership companies, excellent support from the future customer base and a clear focus on the importance of establishing finishing capabilities” for the successful creation and opening of API in India.

The plant boasts of state-of-the art capabilities such as fully automated anodizing line, fully automated Etching line, Semi-automatic Titanium Etching line, Primer & Painting line, advanced Fluorescent Particle Inspection (FPI) line, Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) line, advanced 7-axis robotic shot peening and passivation/alodine/alochrome processes. The API facility also has a dedicated reverse osmosis plant, zero discharge effluent treatment plant and a dedicated state-of-the art chemical laboratory to meet statutory testing requirements in-house.

API has received particular support and encouragement from Airbus and Boeing in establishing operations to meet rigorous aerospace specifications and is working with each customer to achieve full operational approvals.

“API provides a much needed, standalone third party metal finishing treatment, services in India. Airbus is proud to have supported API and to have helped enhance the local aerospace industry,” said Dr. Srinivasan Dwarakanath, Airbus Director International Cooperation.