GKN Aerospace's composites manufacturing facility in Mexicali, Mexico, has received Performance Review Institute (PRI) Nadcap accreditation for the composite fabrication activities at the site.

PRI Nadcap provides recognised aerospace industry accreditation for companies that manufacture high quality aerospace products using specialised processes. Nadcap is a cooperative industry effort administered by the not-for-profit Performance Review Institute (PRI) that provides quality assurance throughout the global aerospace and defense industries.

At the GKN Aerospace Mexicali composites site the Nadcap approval process has benchmarked the quality of a number of processes including: hand lay-up and curing of prepreg composite materials and adhesive bonding of composite structures.

Daniele Cagnatel, CEO GKN Aerospace - Aerostructures, North America explains: "The Nadcap accreditation for our Mexicali composites facility is an important milestone as we extend the service this site offers to our customers. Nadcap accreditation recognises the strong process capabilities and commitment to excellence at the facility.

At this and all our manufacturing sites we are focused on process control, lean manufacturing and operational excellence. I am proud of the workforce at our Mexicali facility. This achievement demonstrates their commitment to delivering the best value, high quality composite structures to our customers."

The Mexicali composites manufacturing facility employs 120 people and produces structures for the Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter, Honeywell HTF7000 and other commercial programs. The site was established in 2012 with the aim of exceeding 100 employees by 2017 - a goal it has already surpassed.

In total GKN Aerospace employs 450 people in Mexico where the company has three facilities. The two additional sites manufacture engine fan cases, containment cases, fan ducts and shroud assemblies for major aero-engine primes such as Honeywell, GE, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce and Allison.

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