Group Rhodes congratulates Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on it’s Platinum Jubilee

Group Rhodes is proud to be a core technology provider to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) 

Group Rhodes has a very successful record dating back to the 1940’s of supplying a range of innovative and reliable capital equipment to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), to support the advancement and modernisation of their aircraft. 

One of the largest aerospace manufacturing companies in the world, HAL operates 19 Production Units and 9 Research and Design centres in 7 locations in India. The Company has an impressive product track record, manufacturing twelve types of it’s own aircraft, with a further fourteen types produced under license.

HAL utilises a range of Rhodes machines to manufacture a selection of engine and airframe components for civil and military aircraft. The latest order for a 600 tonne aluminium sheet stretch forming machine will be used to produce aircraft fuselage panels.

Group Rhodes operates from three UK sites, which offer over 20,500sqm of production capability. In 2014, The Company completed its new purpose build facility in Bangalore, India, which was inaugurated by the Right Honourable Nick Clegg MP, the Deputy Prime minister of the United Kingdom.

Commenting on the Rhodes India facility, Chief Executive Office, Mark Ridgway OBE, DL commented, 

“During his recent visit to the UK, it was inspiring to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi encourage more businesses to invest in India.

It is important to emphasise that Rhodes is not investing in India for reasons of low labour and overhead costs. That time has gone. Our focus today is on servicing the great opportunity that this market offers across a number of advanced engineering sectors. India’s potential is truly phenomenal.

Group Rhodes investigated several potential locations for its base in India, but settled on Bangalore for reasons of skills, aerospace activity and strong international connectivity.

Our factory in Bangalore will improve our support for Indian aerospace clients, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and create a competitive base from which to develop our business.”

A Rhodes triple action hydraulic press is only one of many innovative and technical machines supplied to HAL.