PW1100G-JM

US-based Whitcraft has secured a $234m contract from Pratt & Whitney to supply parts and assemblies for the next-generation PurePower geared turbofan (GTF) engine family.

Under a ten year contract, the company will supply sheet metal components, assemblies, and precision machined parts and assemblies.

Whitcraft plans to produce sheet metal components and assemblies at its facility in Eastford, Connecticut, and precision machined parts and assemblies at its Connecticut tool facility and Dell manufacturing facility.

Whitcraft CEO Colin Cooper said: "All three of our Connecticut facilities will play critical roles in fulfilling our obligations under this contract.

"The PurePower engine completed more than 14,000 hours of testing, including 2,600 hours of flight testing and 27,000 cycles of testing."

"This contract, along with other new work recently won, will provide the basis for future growth, and will ensure that our employees have opportunities for professional growth as they progress in their careers here."

The company hired more than 30 new staff to serve the contract.

Pratt & Whitney strategic sourcing vice-president David Emmerling said: "The agreement includes UTC’s One Company terms and conditions, which allows for future collaboration through a common contracting approach between Whitcraft and UTC.

"As Pratt & Whitney and UTC increase capacity, One Company agreements with suppliers that continue to meet our high performance requirements such as Whitcraft will play an integral role in our scheduled production ramp."

PurePower engine completed more than 14,000 hours of testing, including 2,600 hours of flight testing and 27,000 cycles of testing.

The Whitcraft contract comes after Pratt & Whitney selected Jonal Laboratories to provide non-metallic rubber-based elastomeric parts for certain aircraft engines.

Image: A PW1100G-JM engine during testing. Photo: courtesy of United Technologies Corporation, Pratt & Whitney Division.