Connect, no.145, November - December 2006, p.6

Aerospace team touch down in India

In light of the growing potential of India's aerospace industry and recent announcements of major investments by some of the significant aircraft manufacturers, TWI teamed up with the Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies and Industries (SIATI) to organise a two day seminar in Bangalore.

The event, Advances in aerospace materials and joining technologies, attracted 90 people to hear the opening welcome by Air Commodore (retired) Varkey of SIATI and a keynote lecture by Yogesh Kumar, LCA Director from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. This was followed by presentations from TWI's Richard Freeman, Jack Gabzdyl and Sayee Raghunathan.

The audience also heard a review of the Indian offset policy from Sridhar Nadupalli, the founder of the Sankhya Group. After lunch a panel session was held where TWI personnel answered questions posed by the audience. The second day contained further presentations from TWI, followed by one to one meetings with Indian companies expressing an interest in TWI.

The seminar was a great success and this was echoed by Dr Richard Freeman who said: 'TWI has been well received by the Indian aerospace industry and we are excited by the prospect of developing mutually beneficial relationships in this sector in India. We look forward to our next visit to the country to attend Aero India 2007 in February, where we aim to continue the dialogue and develop these relationships further.'

Speakers at the seminar in Bangalore Left to right: Jack Gabzdyl, TWI, Sridhar Nadupalli, Sankhya Group, Richard Freeman, TWI, Mr J C Shahani, Consultant, Air Commodore (retired) Varkey, SIATI, Sayee Raghunathan, TWI and Vikram Shahani, WATSCO