Incat, the world''s leading independent provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) services to major automotive, aerospace and durable goods manufacturers, is currently in talks with a clutch of engineering and design firms in China for an acquisition by the end of the current fiscal.

Reports quoting Patrick McGoldrick, managing director, Tata Technologies, said Incat is also seeking joint ventures in Germany and France. "We are looking for acquisitions especially in China since big money is now flowing towards Asia Pacific," he said.

Incat''s India delivery center is located at the Center for Advanced Engineering & Design in Pune. With a presence in 45 cities and 12 countries — including India — and over 3,000 employees, Incat serves over 2,000 client organisations, including the top 10 automotive OEMs and the top 5 aerospace OEMs.

Incat works closely with all major aerospace manufacturers in the international PLM market. With the acquisition of Incat, Tata Technologies is now working with companies like Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed for engineering design and PLM. In the process, Tata Technologies has also emerged a major technology provider for the aerospace industry, which has a substantial share of the $650 billion engineering design and related market.

While Incat is involved in the development of the Joint Strike Fighter for the US defence forces, Tata Technologies is looking at working with the government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in India.

Tata Technologies is currently working on product design, PLM and tooling design for A380 aircraft out of its Indian development centers.

The company would also be providing engineering and design services for Tata group chairman Ratan Tata''s Rs1-lakh car project.