Collins Aerospace, a leading manufacturer of aerospace parts, plans to open a new production line for interior aircraft products in its facility at the First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) in Tanauan, Batangas.
“This is all part of our strategic plan as we continue to look to grow the business here, to support the Asia customers. It is still in the works. Our being in the Philippines is a commitment of the company,” said Collins Aerospace Philippines general manager Mary DeStaffan at the sidelines of the Indo-Pacific Business Forum (IPBF) in Taguig City.
The new assembly line will complement the company’s existing capabilities in Batangas, which include manufacturing main cabin seating, galleys, lavatories and galley inserts.
DeStaff said while specific details on investment, production capacity and job creation are not yet available, the company is committed to the Philippines, highlighting the country’s competitive advantage as a strategic location to serve Asian customers.
The new assembly line is expected to be operational within the next five years, with the possibility of further expansion in Batangas. Collins Aerospace is exploring potential product lines for the new assembly line and is working with airlines to understand their specific needs, she said.
DeStaffan confirmed that Collins Aerospace supplies parts to Boeing and Airbus. The company delivers its products to these manufacturers’ production lines for final aircraft assembly.
Collins Aerospace is a part of RTX Corp., the world’s largest aerospace and defense company. The Batangas facility is one of the largest Collins Aerospace manufacturing plants globally and the largest American manufacturer in the Philippines.
“Our decision to invest in the Philippines was driven by the strong partnership with the government, the talented workforce and the opportunity to grow our position in Asia,” DeStaffan said.
The company is committed to developing a robust regional supply chain within the Philippines. This initiative will not only generate additional revenue for the Philippines, but would also allow Collins to respond faster to customer demands, she said.
The Batangas facility employs a large engineering innovation center with highly skilled workforce. Over 55 percent of its employees hold engineering degrees, and 74 percent have four or five-year college degrees.
The facility transitioned to 100-percent renewable geothermal energy, making it one of 20 RTX sites worldwide to achieve this milestone.
