Blog
Defence Minister to unveil expanded North West Aerospace Alliance
Posted by: David Bailey Category: NWAA news Date: Friday, January 29, 2010
The NWAA is to open its second office facility next month, with guest of honour Defence Minister Quentin Davies.
Click for the official press release.
New director for NWAA
Posted by: David Bailey Category: NWAA news Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2010
THE North West Aerospace Alliance has appointed Andrew White, managing director of Aircelle Limited, to its board of directors.
Mr White has almost 30 years’ experience in the manufacturing industry, with the majority in the aerospace sector, and has acted as MD of Aircelle – the international engineering and manufacturing company with a site in Burnley – since 2005.
He began his career with Lucas Aerospace in 1980, working in advanced manufacturing, before moving to Vickers plc and becoming managing director of Vickers Aerospace in 1993.
Mr White left the aerospace sector, joining Johnson and Johnson in 1998 as vice president of international operations in medical devices, giving him a valuable insight into other areas of advanced manufacturing.
Aircelle’s Burnley site is the only UK facility for the French company, part of the SAFRAN group. The Burnley factory designs and manufactures nacelles and thrust reversers for jet engines.
As a board member of the NWAA, Andrew will help shape its strategic direction as well as the work the organisation carries out on behalf of member companies and the aerospace sector across the region.
The NWAA is responsible for shaping and supporting the aerospace industry and is the pioneer of the Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence (ASCE) Programme, designed to help the regional supply chain compete globally. Recently, ASCE 2 announced £7.1 million worth of funding from regional and European sources.
Mr White said: “The NWAA is carrying out valuable work on behalf of the aerospace industry in the region, and it is an honour to work alongside the other board members in steering the organisation to even greater success.
“The next 12 months will be an exciting time for the NWAA, after the announcement that we have received funding for ASCE 2.
“Despite the recession and the difficulties it has posed, the outlook is bright for the sector and I look forward to playing a part in helping to shape an industry with historic ties to the region.”
Martin Wright, chief executive of the NWAA, added: “Andrew has a fantastic pedigree in the industry, and brings an enormous wealth of knowledge to the table.
“The NWAA is privileged to have Andrew on board, and we look forward to working with him.”
Other NWAA board members include Steve Vandersteen, supply chain and procurement director, integrated services for MAS, BAE Systems; and Norman Thompson, head of supply chain and quality, airframe UK, Airbus UK.
Pre-budget report
Posted by: Martin Wright Category: NWAA news Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Click to read Martin Wright, chief executive of the North West Aerospace Alliance’s thoughts on the pre-budget report. (more…)
Preparing for 2010
Posted by: Lorna Campbell-Cassidy Category: NWAA news Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The NWAA’s plans for 2010 were laid out at the organisation’s AGM this week.
Held at Manchester City Football Club, the AGM included an official meeting dealing with legal and financial factors, followed by an open forum for members.
Chief executive Martin Wright addressed the audience on the NWAA’s skills capacity model, and chairman Neil McKay spoke about the future of the organisation – including the ASCE and ASCE2 (Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence) Programmes.
The afternoon finished with a networking buffet.
NWAA flies the flag in Europe
Posted by: Lorna Campbell-Cassidy Category: NWAA news Date: Friday, November 27, 2009
THE North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) will be helping to raise the profile of the region at one of the world’s most respected industry events.
Aerosolutions 2009, to be held on December 1 and 2 at the Palais De Congres, Bordeaux, France, will include high-level meetings and workshops for the aeronautical, space and defence industries.
The NWAA will fly the flag for the region’s aerospace industry at the important biennial event, with attendees including Martin Wright, the organisation’s chief executive.
North West companies also attending the event include Attwater Group Ltd, the Preston based world leader in engineering plastic laminates and coated electrical insulation materials.
During the event, the NWAA will promote the work being done by the North West aerospace cluster, and its own, groundbreaking Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence Programme (ASCE).
Martin Wright, chief executive of the NWAA, said: “Recent months have seen an unprecedented level of interest from overseas in the work of the NWAA and the North West region.
“We will be building on this at Aerosolutions 2009, and promoting the great work being done in the region to a global audience.”
Recently the NWAA was granted £7.1 million funding from the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the European Regional Development Fund, to take forward ASCE to the next phase with ASCE2.
