Honeywell Aerospace (Stand 1432) has appointed Saudi precision parts manufacturer Wahaj as a strategic supplier, making it the first country in the Middle East to provide OEM parts to the aerospace giant, the U.S.-based company said Monday at the Dubai Airshow.
Under the seven-year agreement, Wahaj will provide parts used in wheels and brakes, power systems, engines, air and thermal systems, and auxiliary power units for platforms including the Airbus A350, A330, and A320neo; Boeing 737 Max and 777; Dassault Falcon 8X (including mod M1000 and later versions) and 7X; and McDonnell Douglas/Boeing MD-11.
Wahaj is one of the few AS9100-certified companies in Saudi Arabia involved in manufacturing high-precision machined components, kits, and subassemblies for the aerospace and defense industries.
“Wahaj’s understanding of complex aerospace machining interactions, its deep engineering expertise, and its agile, collaborative approach are exceptionally aligned to the Honeywell Aerospace strategy,” said Mike Madsen, president and CEO, Honeywell Aerospace, adding that the partnership also aligns with “the Saudi Vision 2030 project, which aims to further strengthen Honeywell’s local commercial aerospace capabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Saeed Nasser, CEO of Wahaj, called the partnership a “major achievement,” adding that it will “accelerate the realization of Wahaj’s strategic vision to be a global aerospace and defense manufacturing partner” and help to create new jobs.
Honeywell also supports the Kingdom’s In-Kingdom Total Value Add Program, designed to drive localization of content, the company said, and provides training programs aiding the country’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy.