Global Competition

Posted by: Amiee Category: Company news,NWAA news Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2012

In a guest article, Dr Andrew Mair, CEO of Midlands Aerospace Alliance, writes of the competitive advantage for aerospace suppliers investing in new technologies.

As global competition in aerospace intensifies, supply chain companies know they have to respond to keep up with the pace. Investing to develop new product and process technologies becomes a key weapon in the face of competitors across the world which have the advantage in labour costs and government aid. And any policy to promote economic growth and jobs via manufacturing exports has to invest deep into the supply chain if it is to stop the heart of UK aerospace being hollowed out and the country losing its place in one of its few remaining leading industries.

That’s why the Midlands Aerospace Alliance has been running its Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (ATEP) since 2006.

ATEP has given partnerships of suppliers, mentored by customers, the funding and vital project management help they need to take 12 new technologies through the risky middle technology readiness levels and get them that much closer to market.

Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has worked in partnership with the University of Birmingham and Airbus to improve key computer aided design capabilities that the company intends will help it re-enter the large commercial aircraft market.  Aeromet has run multiple tests of a new aluminium alloy that promises critical benefits over current materials, supported by Aero Engine Controls and working closely with automotive casting house Grainger and Worrall. And Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems has drawn on the expertise of small ceramic materials expert company James Kent to test new ways to extend the life of aircraft brakes.

Supported by MAA expertise, small companies have led projects as well as participated in them. Indestructible Paint has collaborated with two other SMEs and technology experts Ceram to trial new coatings that eliminate chrome as demanded by REACH regulations, mentored by Rolls-Royce and Messier Dowty.

G&O Springs has led a project with two SMEs and the Institute of Spring Technology to create computer models of how different metal alloys behave when made into springs for the first time, giving customers like Goodrich Actuation Systems and BAE Systems unique data that is fed into the design of aircraft control systems.

These projects all give aerospace suppliers new intellectual property and know-how and thus competitive advantage in the eyes of UK and global customers. But what sets ATEP apart? Why is it so successful? The funding is certainly vital. Yet the critical edge comes from project management help injected by MAA experts and the senior industry engineers who make up the MAA’s innovation and technology working group, as well as the mentoring of each project by customers.

New manufacturing technologies for heat exchangers developed by the small Advanced Chemical Etchings alongside HS Marston are already finding their way onto the Airbus A320 neo. We fully expect more new export business to follow as these new technologies are exploited to help keep a bigger proportion of the aerospace supply chain and its high value jobs here in the UK.

ATEP has been funded by the participating companies, the European Regional Development Fund and Advantage West Midlands.

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In the latest copy of Plane Talk, Martin Wright talks about Abu Dhabi becoming a player

Posted by: Amiee Category: NWAA news Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Here’s a little peek at what is included in our latest copy of Plane Talk….

To request a copy, please contact Victoria Ingham – victoria.ingham@aerospace.co.uk or 01282 604444.

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Aerospace excellence team expands

Posted by: Amiee Category: NWAA news Date: Friday, January 20, 2012

The team responsible for running a groundbreaking aerospace supply chain project has expanded with two new appointments.

The ASCE 2 programme (Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence) is a £11.4 million industry-leading programme which aims to deliver more than £100million addition GVA (Gross Value Added – an important economic indicator) to the North West regional economy and almost 400 new jobs.

It is developed and delivered by the North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA), and builds on the work of the group’s ASCE 1 programme which launched in 2006 and was the first coordinated approach to supplier development in the UK aerospace sector.

Now the NWAA has expanded the ASCE 2 team with the appointment of Carole Stewart as skills coordinator and Kristian Samways as innovation coordinator.

Carole, of Preston, joins from the NHS and will be supporting the existing skills team in rolling out the skills element of the programme. She has a wide range of experience in different industries including manufacturing in both the private and public sectors.

Kristian, of Clayton-le-Woods, near Preston, will coordinate the dedicated innovation activities being developed by the ASCE 2 team working in close conjunction with both academia and supply chain companies coordinating collaborative improvement projects. Kristian has a background in IT and aerospace, and while at BAE Systems worked on the Typhoon and Jaguar programmes at the aerospace giant’s Warton site in Lancashire.

Scott Bairstow, ASCE 2 programme manager, said: “ASCE 2 is critical, strategic supply chain programme which works closely with the prime aerospace manufacturers including BAE Systems, Airbus and Rolls Royce to further develop supply chain capability.

“It is important to have a high calibre team in place to work with our member companies, and both Carole and Kristian have some great experience and ideas to contribute to our aim of securing a competitive base of world-class aerospace companies in the region.”

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NWAA Newsletter coming soon!

Posted by: Amiee Category: NWAA news Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2012

The latest edition of Plane Talk, the newsletter of the NWAA, has just been completed and is about to go to print.

In it you will find the latest news from NWAA members, updates from the ASCE team and the Isle of Man cluster, plus plenty more.

For more information or to request a copy, please contact Victoria Ingham at victoria.ingham@aerospace.co.uk or call 01282 604444.

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Members Forum ‘NetFast’ Event

Posted by: Amiee Category: NWAA news Date: Friday, January 13, 2012

There are still a few places left on our Members Forum Networking Breakfast Event on 26th January 2012.

The NetFast is being held at the prestigious Concorde Conference Centre near Manchester Airport from 8am.

For bookings, please contact Victoria Ingham, Marketing Manager, on 01282 604444 or victoria.ingham@aerospace.co.uk

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