News Review: JSF win for Broens | ADM Sep 2010

Pratt & Whitney has selected Broens Industries to design and manufacture a critical piece of ground support equipment for the F135 engine powering the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.

The new equipment will be used to help remove and install the engine gearbox for the F135 propulsion system.

The new order, signed at the Farnborough Air Show, was won in the face of international competition and has a potential value of more than US$7 million.

“Broens has demonstrated the ability to deliver the most innovative solution for removal and installation of the F135 engine’s gearbox with its technologically advanced ground support equipment, designed and built specifically for the F135 engine program,” Bennett Croswell, vice president, Pratt & Whitney F135/F119 engine programs said.

And shortly before the Farnborough Air Show Broens acquired Intercast & Forge’s automotive foundry at Seven Hills, NSW, now re-named Broens Autocast & Forge.

The firm is Australia’s only privately owned high-volume automotive products foundry and employs 140 personnel, while the Broens Group previously employed 180 people at its headquarters in Ingleburn, NSW, and at its subsidiaries, Static Engineering and Calbic Precision Engineers, in Adelaide.

Meanwhile, Broens and Calbic have recently achieved AS9100 certification, another milestone in Broens’ journey to become a major Australian player in defence and aerospace global supply chains.

With government support under the South Australia Innovation and Investment Fund scheme, Broens is establishing a new aerospace large components manufacturing facility to be co-located with Broens’ SA subsidiaries, Calbic and Static Engineering.