Member Article

West Midlands Aerospace firms heading to Farnborough

The aerospace sector in the West Midlands is set to be strengthened as one of the largest industrial clusters in the UK heads to an international show.

Seventeen firms from the area are joining a Midlands wide delegation that is heading to the Farnborough International Airshow on July 14-20, which will this year celebrate the UK’s aerospace heritage and also look to how the UK contributes to this rapidly growing global industry.

Overall, 27 companies will be exhibiting on the Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA) stand at the show and they include a range of firms including Alloy Wire International, Columbia Precision Ltd and G & O Springs Ltd.

Dr Andrew Mair, chief executive of the MAA – which was established in 2003 to support and represent the aerospace industry across the Midlands, said attendance at the show could bring further economic benefits to the region.

He said: “All business is based on relationships with clients, the supply chain and partner companies but that is particularly true in the aerospace sector.

“The relationships between companies in this sector are complex as they buy from one another in a very intricate supply chain over many, many years.

“So the value of meeting face-to-face is huge and Farnborough is the perfect format for that. It is a real opportunity to meet other companies and organisations in this sector from around the world and to discuss very real business opportunities.

“Farnborough is known the world over as one of the most important shows in this sector and it is great news for the Midlands to have such a strong delegation out in force there.

“We are very much looking forward to it and believe it will further strengthen the region’s reputation as a world class centre for the aerospace industry.”

The theme for this year’s Farnborough Airshow is 100 years of aviation and it will also commemorate 100 years since the outbreak of World War I.

Dr Mair added that the region’s aerospace heritage could also bring future benefits.

He said: “The Midlands has a wonderful aerospace history which is the foundation on which our current and future success is built.”

There will be a range of opportunities and activities for MAA partners to engage in during the week including meet the buyer events with representatives from UK Trade and Investment and also information on doing business with a range of markets around the world including China, India, France and the USA.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .