Tatas in JV talks with jet-maker Embraer
Indian conglomerate Tata does not seem satisfied after making history by taking over Anglo-Dutch steel maker Corus and Britain’s premium auto brands Jaguar and Land Rover. It is now considering a partnership with Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer.
Sources here said that talks were on with Embraer for starting a joint venture for production of aircraft. The world’s third-largest plane manufacturer is unable to cope with orders it is getting from various countries and private players.
Tata had offered to set up a joint venture with the aircraft giant, the only firm that makes 120-seater commercial jets.
Talks are at an early stage but Tata, with its expertise in various fields, is being considered a serious contender for the JV, sources said.
Embraer (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronutica) is one of Brazil’s leading exporters and is headquartered in Sao Paulo. It has offices, industrial operations and customer service facilities in Brazil, United States, France, Portugal, China and Singapore.
Founded in 1969, the company designs, develops and sells aircraft for commercial aviation, executive aviation, and defence and government segments. It also provides after-sales services to customers worldwide. On March 31, 2008, it had 23,878 employees and an order-book of $20.3 billion.
In February, Tata and US aircraft maker Boeing had agreed to float a JV, that will initially include more than $500 million of defence-related aerospace component work in India for export to Boeing and its international customers.
