Tech Mahindra aims to become a 'design house' in aerospace sector

The company is using new business models, where clients can assign their requirements after going through a catalogue

Tech Mahindra, India’s fifth-largest information technology services company, plans to become a design house for the aerospace sector in the next four years.

The Mumbai-based company works with nearly 80 per cent of original equipment manufacturers in the aerospace sector. It intends to take complete ownership of products, including approving product designs. Tech Mahindra is using new business models, where clients can assign their requirements after going through a catalogue.

“We have a vision to become a design house for the aerospace sector. We can approve the design and sign on behalf of customers for certifications,” said S Ramaseshan, group delivery head for aerospace and defence at Tech Mahindra.

Engineering and research opportunities worldwide for Indian infotech companies, according to a report by management consulting firm Zinnov, is $26 billion. Of this, Indian companies delivered $6.9 billion worth of services in 2014. The study estimates that by 2020 this figure will be $15 billion, and will grow at 13 per cent a year. HCL Technologies, Wipro, and Tata Consultancy Services compete with Tech Mahindra in this segment.

“Aerospace and design is an important vertical for Tech Mahindra within engineering services. We are focused on manufacturing support, customer services and avionics (the science of electronics when used in designing and making aircraft),” Ramaseshan added. Tech Mahindra has 2,000 engineers working on engineering services for aerospace clients.

The expertise of group companies such as Mahindra Aerospace and Mahindra Defence System is an advantage for Tech Mahindra. Mahindra Aerospace has set up an aerostructure manufacturing facility in Narasapura, 40 km from Bengaluru, which is going through certification. “We can design aerostructures while they can manufacture. The Mahindra group can undertake end-to-end work in aerospace,” said Ramaseshan.

In defence, Tech Mahindra will focus on select areas such as a battlefield management system it is working on with the Defence Research and Development Organisation. “We are working in strategic areas,” Ramaseshan added.
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• Tech Mahindra works with nearly 80 per cent of original equipment manufacturers in aerospace
• Engineering and research opportunities worldwide for Indian infotech companies, according to a report by management consulting firm Zinnov, is $26 billion
• The expertise of group companies such as Mahindra Aerospace and Mahindra Defence System is an advantage for Tech Mahindra