QuEST ACHIEVES AIRBUS & AS 9100 CERTIFICATION - Initiative supported by SMITHS Aerospace

Bangalore, India, May 2007 – QuEST, a leading provider of engineering services, offering end-to-end product development and engineering solutions, today announced that it has received Airbus design approval and AS9100 certification. This will enable QuEST to work on upcoming Airbus programs like the A350 in the areas of engineering design, documentation and manufacturing engineering.

QuEST is currently supporting aerospace customers on global programs such as the Airbus 380 and Boeing 787, on airframe, engines and actuation systems.

Smiths Aerospace’s aerostructures business, Hamble Aerostructures, having airframe content on Airbus and Boeing programs, is working with QuEST in reducing its non-recurring engineering cost. QuEST, with the support of Hamble Aerostructures’ quality audit process, has been certified for AS9100 as an authorized supplier, as a result of which QuEST achieved Airbus design approvals certification.

“With the airframe platform integrators transferring more of the upfront investment and risk to their Tier-1’s, Smiths has developed QuEST as its preferred engineering supplier to support its diverse businesses. These certifications will enable QuEST to operate in world class quality practices comparable to those at Airbus and Smiths,” said Mr. John Payne, Operations Director, Smiths Aerospace.

“At QuEST, we strongly believe in continual improvement of processes. By upgrading our Quality Management System to the stringent AS9100 quality assurance standard and receiving the Airbus certification, we have been able to achieve the next level of robustness in both processes and their interrelation. This will facilitate increased opportunities for QuEST in the aerospace market,” said Mr. Vijay Shrinivas, VP – Quality, QuEST.

About QuEST
QuEST is a leader in engineering services, offering end-to-end product development and engineering solutions to global majors. QuEST supports product development initiatives for its customers by leveraging its Global Product Development (GPD) business model, through engineering centers established in 3 different continents. QuEST's expertise ranges from concept design, detailing and analysis, to product realization solutions in the following domains: Aerospace, Civil Structures, Power Generation, Industrial Products, Oil & Gas and Transportation. QuEST uses Six Sigma methodology, ISO and AS9100 certified processes to provide better, faster and more value-optimized solutions to its customers. Its technically competent and truly global engineering team consists of over 900 engineers across India, US, Italy, UK, Germany and Japan. For more information, visit www.quest-global.com.
About Smiths Aerospace
Smiths Aerospace is a leading global provider of innovative solutions to builders and operators of military and civil aircraft and engines, from large transport to fighters and UAVs, from helicopters to regional and business jets.

About AS9100
The Standard AS9100 includes ASQ9001:2000 quality system requirements and specifies additional requirements for the quality system of the aerospace industry. AS9100 is a widely adopted, quality management system or standard for aerospace industry. It was introduced by Society of Automotive Engineers in the Americas and the European Association of Aerospace Industries in Europe in October 1999. AS9100 defines the requirements for the Quality Management System Standard.

For further information please contact –
QuEST
Romana Charania
Asst Manager Corporate Communications
Ph: +91 99455 39195
Email: Romana.Charania@quest-global.com