Tata, Boeing tie up for Dreamliner

Boeing has entered into an agreement with India's TAL Manufacturing Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Motors, for the manufacturing of structural components for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner airplane programme.

Under the agreement, TAL Manufacturing Solutions will build floor beams for the 787 using new technology with advanced titanium and composite materials. These floor beams will be used on the 787 Dreamliner and provide for a best-value solution and significant weight savings.

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Carolyn Corvi, vice-president and general manager, Airplane Programmes, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: "Boeing is proud to welcome Tata into its family of world-class aerospace suppliers and we are confident that this partnership will help Boeing and Tata leverage mutual best-value capabilities. This partnership between Boeing and Tata will further increase the value of the 787 to our customers, helping make it the world's leading commercial airplane."

The floor beams for the 787 airplane will be produced at TAL's new facility in Nagpur, India, and then transported to Boeing partners in Japan, Italy and the US for further assembly.

Ravi Kant, chairman, TAL, and managing director, Tata Motors, said: "The production of Boeing's structural components by TAL indicates technical and manufacturing excellence within the group. We believe that this agreement has the potential to develop into a more broad-based alliance that would enable both organisations to use the best and most competitive resources within themselves and offer greater value to customers."