27 February 2007 – Chennai, India – SMITHS Aerospace, part of the global technology business Smiths Group, today officially opens a Development Centre in Chennai, India with partner HCL Technologies. The development centre is the result of an agreement between Smiths Aerospace and HCL Technologies that was signed on December 20, 2006. Under the agreement, HCL will provide the resources and management at the centre with 60 assigned positions for engineering services.

Mike Taylor, vice president, Supply Chain for Smiths Aerospace officially opened the development centre. The centre is located at Plot No. 94, South Phase, Ambattur Industrial Estate in Chennai, where work will commence immediately.

Mike Taylor said: “With the Development Centre, HCL facilities and personnel are dedicated to Smiths which results in increased efficiency due to the familiarization of our projects and processes. Our partnership with HCL results in the time, cost, and quality benefits that we expect from a successful sourcing business.”

Smiths Aerospace supply routes from the Far East and India are geared toward building an infrastructure in these locations where it makes sense for customers and as a mechanism for absorbing new business growth. The centre is the result of a successful and growing relationship between Smiths Aerospace and HCL which began in 2005.

Ramesh Pillai, Director Aerospace Practice, North America said “This is another key win for HCL in the Aerospace sector and reiterates our leadership position in offering mission critical software, hardware and mechanical engineering services. The dedicated design centre will cater to Smiths Aerospace’s global engineering requirements and will quickly ramp up to more than 150 dedicated professionals offering a multitude of IT and Engineering services. Smiths Aerospace will benefit from HCL’s innovative business models, value-centric approach and integration with Smiths’ customers.”

HCL Technologies is one of India’s leading global IT services companies, providing software-led IT solutions, remote infrastructure management services and business process outsourcing. HCL Technologies focuses on transformational outsourcing, working with clients in areas that impact and re-define the core of their business. HCL Technologies, along with its subsidiaries had revenue of US $ 1.058 billion for the twelve month period ending 30th September 2006 and employed 36,452 professionals. For further information, visit www.hcltech.com.

HCL was the first Indian IT solutions provider for the aerospace industry to obtain AS 9100 certification which is a testimony to the quality and domain expertise. HCL's aerospace practice currently counts several global aerospace majors including airframe manufacturers, system integrators and Tier 1 suppliers amongst its clients.

Smiths Group is a global technology company, listed on the London Stock Exchange. Smiths Group is a world leader in the practical application of advanced technologies. Its products and services make the world safer, healthier and more productive. Smiths Group has four divisions: Aerospace, Detection, Medical and Specialty Engineering. It employs 32,000 people and has more than 250 major facilities in 50 countries. On 15 January 2007 Smiths Group announced the sale of Smiths Aerospace to GE, which remains subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. For more information visit www.smiths.com

Smiths Aerospace is a leading transatlantic aerospace systems and equipment business, with more than 11,500 employees and $2.4 billion revenues globally. The business holds key positions in the supply chains of all major military and civil aircraft and engine manufacturers and is a world-leader in digital, electrical power, mechanical systems, engine components and Systems Customer Services. For further information visit www.geaviationsystems.com