If you are into Indian aerospace business then you would probably aware of Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies & Industries (SIATI). But, of course very less number of people in the industry would eventually aware of SIATI and the reasons behind its formation. But once you know it, you would crave to be part of this institution. From day one of its (SIATI) inception, tells Air Commodore (Retired) Joseph Varkey, its Honorary Secretary General, advocating its member-organisations, “quality at par with global standards”, “compliance with specifications” and “allow qualified hands to do the contract job”.
Dr. C.G. Krishnadas Nair founded SIATI in 1991 with a motive to improve selling capabilities of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), which were engaged in the aerospace exports business. “The local fabricators seldom quote less in order to bag outsourcing contract and finally ends up with not fulfilling specification and quality,” says Commodore Varkey.
But the situation had changed since SIATI came into force and “we identified good companies, who really have the capability to perform the job to the fullest satisfaction of the principal (original manufacturer),” he says. We interact with the principal, who approach us and once we understood their requirements, we shortlist the companies those could match with it and accordingly inform both parties and the rest lies with them, he adds.
According to him, the principal, who outsource job to Indian fabricators looks for global standards in terms of quality in job and compliance with set specifications. Otherwise, generally, the principal supplies raw materials, he says.
Over 350 SMEs are now associated with SIATI as members and availing business leads through the society. Of which, 70-75 per cent members are into manufacturing while remaining render services. The big names among SIATI membership are Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Bharat Electronics Ltd, etc.
“We are very careful in selecting local manufacturers while short listing for outsourcing contract job and only consideration to that is Quality and track record,” says Commodore Varkey. SIATI is also assisting local biggies, who outsource jobs to the domestic SMEs.
SIATI is a non-profit institution, which does not charge except membership fee from its members. The society in a bid to promote India as aerospace outsourcing hub and also to get business opportunities to its members has entered into agreement with several trade bodies. The prominent among them
