Bengaluru firm takes big leap in Make in India programme

SASMOS HET Technologies forms JV with Dutch firm Fokker Elmo to produce electrical interconnection systems for aerospace and defence sectors

A Bengaluru-based firm has put in place a joint venture with a Dutch company to exploit “Make in India” opportunities in the defence sector.

SASMOS HET Technologies Ltd, a manufacturer of cable assemblies, wiring harness, panel boxes, and electro-mechanical assemblies, has formed a joint venture with the Netherlands-based Fokker Elmo, a unit of Fokker Technologies, to make products for aerospace and defence applications.

The joint venture, Fokker Elmo SASMOS Interconnection Systems Ltd, has 51 per cent stake held by SASMOS and the rest by Fokker Elmo. The venture has a manufacturing unit at Whitefield near Bengaluru for electrical wiring systems for  Boeing.

“We signed a memorandum of understanding with Fokker during the Farnborough air show last year and finalised the joint venture. We have commenced production at our new facility and the first shipment for Boeing will take place in October,” Chandrashekar H G, founder and managing director, SASMOS HET Technologies, told Business Standard on the sidelines of Aero India.

The partners intend to ramp up investment and capacities in the next two years. “There are immense opportunities in the Indian defence sector. We are ready to participate in upcoming projects. Both partners have put in place a 10-year plan for global markets,” Chandrashekar said.

To begin with, the company will supply electrical wiring systems for aircraft. It intends to manufacture a whole range of electrical wiring interconnection needs for the global aviation industry. “Our potential customers include Sikorsky, Augusta-Westland, Dassault and Airbus. We will be talking to these customers, apart from looking at India,” Chandrashekar said.

“We foresee the combination of our extensive wiring experience and our joint vision regarding developments in the aerospace market in India will lead to exciting growth opportunities,” Tim Hayter, chief executive officer, Fokker Elmo said.

As part of the joint venture deal, Fokker Elmo will transfer technology to its Indian partner as and when required.