EAST HARTFORD, Conn.,
Sept. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/
-- Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies
Corp. (NYSE: UTX), today proudly announced it has recently
commissioned a new fan blade manufacturing facility at its AutoAir
plant in Lansing, Michigan.
"Pratt & Whitney's $97 million
investment in the production of fan blades for the PurePower®
Geared Turbofan™ (GTF) engine at our AutoAir facility is part of
our more than $1.3 billion investment
in 21st century manufacturing technology to transform our footprint
worldwide," according to Shane Eddy,
vice president, operations, at Pratt & Whitney. "This
expansion is part of our strategy to handle delivery demands on our
backlog of more than 8,000 firm and option engines on order."
The new 93,000 square-foot facility adds to an already existing
GTF fan blade production line in Lansing and is one of 30 dedicated
manufacturing, production or assembly locations across the globe
performing work on various parts and components of the GTF engine
program.
"We are pleased to be a part of this successful engine program,"
said Conor Tracy, general manager,
Pratt & Whitney AutoAir. "The expansion of the Lansing plant is an opportunity for our
employees to contribute to the future of the company, but it is
also an exciting opportunity for Lansing to continue to participate in the
advanced manufacturing sector and the economic growth of the
region."
He added that there has been a tenfold ramp up in a 20 month
period and gives credit for this accomplishment to AutoAir
employees. "We have increased our work force from just over 200 to
almost 700 and growing. We have a highly skilled and professional
work force with a lot of pride in the Michigan campus and pride in the GTF
product."
In addition to GTF fan blade production, the Pratt & Whitney
AutoAir facility is a center of excellence for test nacelle
composite repairs. It has a long history of providing reliable
overhaul and repair services for a broad range of composite parts
and has earned quality and environmental stewardship awards. With
its new capacity coming online, the company is on track to meet its
commitments to deliver 350 to 400 GTF engines this year.
In addition to the manufacturing expansion, Pratt & Whitney
has four maintenance and repair operations (MRO) facilities to
repair and overhaul GTF engines, and additional facilities will be
added moving forward.
The GTF is revolutionizing modern flight with one of the
quietest, most fuel efficient, and environmentally friendly engines
on the market. It has hit all specs from the start of its entry
into service: 16 percent reduction in fuel, 75 percent reduction in
noise footprint, and 50 percent reduction in regulated emissions.
It has seen 21 months of steady progress, marking more than 180,000
flights and more than 280,000 hours of experience. Currently, more
than 80 aircraft among 14 operators are flying about 250 flights
per day to more than 100 destinations on four continents.
Jeff Smith, executive director,
fan and externals module center, Pratt & Whitney AutoAir, noted
that the manufacturing expansion in Lansing will enable the facility to triple its
production capacity. "We are very proud of our ability to execute
and look forward to being an integral part of the GTF production
family."
About Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture
and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. United
Technologies Corp., based in Farmington,
Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services
to the building and aerospace industries. To learn more about UTC,
visit its website at www.utc.com, or follow the company on Twitter:
@UTC.
This press release contains forward-looking statements
concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ
materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and
uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in levels of
demand in the aerospace industry, in levels of air travel, and in
the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design,
development, production, support, performance and realization of
the anticipated benefits of advanced technologies; as well as other
risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those
detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corp.'s
Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Pratt &
Whitney
+1 (860) 565-9600
media@pw.utc.com
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SOURCE Pratt & Whitney