Sigma Advanced Systems has commenced production at its new aerospace manufacturing facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, completing the transition from construction to active manufacturing in just eight months.
Sigma Advanced Systems has achieved a major milestone in its India expansion after starting production at its dedicated aerospace manufacturing facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. The company has completed the greenfield project’s journey from groundbreaking to manufacturing in a record eight-month period.
The facility has already produced its first batch of precision-machined aerospace components. These components have been shipped to Sigma’s UK operations for final verification before being formally delivered to the customer.
The Sri City unit has also progressed through the initial stages of the source-change approval process with Rolls-Royce Aerospace, marking an important step in establishing the facility as part of global aerospace supply chains.
75,000 Sq Ft Facility Already Operational
Sigma is developing the aerospace manufacturing operation across a 500,000-square-foot campus at Sri City. Of this planned facility, around 75,000 square feet is currently operational.
The operational area provides approximately 100,000 machining hours of annual production capacity. The first phase of the facility is designed to eventually increase this capacity to nearly 300,000 machining hours annually.
The remaining portion of the campus is expected to become operational over the next 12 months. Once completed, it will add further manufacturing capacity and introduce additional processes considered critical to aerospace production.
Majority of Manufacturing to Shift to India
The Sri City facility is being developed to replicate the aerospace manufacturing capabilities already established by Sigma in the UK.
The company plans to progressively move a larger portion of its aerospace manufacturing value chain to India while maintaining its UK operations. Once the planned capabilities are fully established, Sigma expects around 70% of the manufacturing process to be carried out in India.
The facility has also been designed with sufficient scale to support potential future acquisitions, giving the company additional room to expand its aerospace manufacturing footprint.
Sigma Targets Global Aerospace Growth
Sunil Kalidindi, CEO and executive director of Sigma Advanced Systems, said the Sri City project represents an important stage in the company’s evolution as a global aerospace manufacturing partner.
He highlighted that Sigma had taken the facility from groundbreaking to production within eight months and had already begun manufacturing aerospace components in India to meet the standards required by international aerospace programmes.
Kalidindi said the company’s goal extends beyond simply increasing machining capacity in India. Sigma intends to reproduce its UK manufacturing capabilities in the country and gradually bring more stages of the aerospace supply chain to India.
With 100,000 annual machining hours already operational and the ability to scale toward nearly 300,000 hours, the facility is expected to become an important component of Sigma’s global manufacturing network. The company also expects the Sri City operation to contribute to double-digit EBITA growth.
Why Sigma Chose Sri City
Sigma selected Sri City because of its ability to support rapid industrial development as well as the company’s long-term manufacturing expansion plans.
The location also offers strong access to international logistics infrastructure. Connectivity with four major ports is expected to support the facility’s export-focused manufacturing operations.
This connectivity is particularly important for an aerospace business supplying components to international customers and integrating production across India and the UK.
Focus on Aerospace Skills and Training
Alongside manufacturing expansion, Sigma plans to build specialised aerospace capabilities through on-campus training and workforce development programmes.
The initiative is expected to contribute to the growth of Andhra Pradesh’s skilled workforce in advanced manufacturing and create a stronger talent base for the aerospace industry.
The start of production at Sri City further strengthens Andhra Pradesh’s position as an emerging destination for high-technology, export-oriented manufacturing.
The project is also expected to deepen the state’s participation in global aerospace supply chains while helping develop a specialised manufacturing and skills ecosystem around Sri City.
With additional portions of the campus scheduled to come online over the next year, Sigma’s Sri City operation is set to play a growing role in the company’s global aerospace manufacturing strategy.