The Hindu Business Line : United Technologies bullish on India

United Technologies, a $43-billion diversified group with interests in aerospace, aircraft engines and air-conditioning systems, is bullish on its Indian operations.

It is exploring the possibilities of setting up manufacturing centre, including a facility for maintenance of aircraft engines.

The President and COO, Mr Louis Chenevert, said that India could be a major customer for its products and as a strategic supplier for services and parts.

The Asia-Pacific region accounts for about 20 per cent of the company's business and continues to grow rapidly.

Speaking to newspersons recently, Mr Chenevert said that the company invested about $2.8 billion in R&D last year; increasingly, R&D is being handled through overseas centres.

While the group is not only able to reduce costs, it has also managed to bring these products to market quicker for competitive advantage.

The group is looking to tap opportunities to increase its engagement with companies in India across its divisions, which include Hamilton Sundstrand, Sikorsky Helicopters, Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines, Carrier Aircon and Otis Elevator.

The company currently employs about 3,000 people in India across nearly 70 cities and towns.

"We have sold over 100 aircraft engines to Indigo, Kingfisher, Air Deccan, Air India and other airlines, and believe that they would need service and maintenance. We are exploring these options even as we are evaluating the possibility of manufacturing centre."

United Technologies employs 2,20,000 employees globally. It has been growing at an average rate of 7-9 per cent annually and views India and the region as potentially contributing significantly to growth.

Mr Chenevert also said that apart from playing an important role in the aerospace industry in India and China, its products and services would touch people's lives across different user segments such as air-conditioning systems, elevators and power fuel cells.