West Midlands aerospace firms outline growth plans to Business Minister
BIRMINGHAM-based Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has outlined its future investment plans to Business Minister Anna Soubry.
Ms Soubry visited the Erdington plant yesterday as part of a tour of high-growth aerospace businesses in the West Midlands.
The visit was in support of the government’s aim to see the region become the UK’s engine for growth.
During her visit to DAT senior managers outlined how the firm planned investment in new production equipment to help it expand its product range and increase international sales.
The company is the world’s only specialist manufacturer and retreader of aircraft tyres and as such needs to continually innovate to keep pace with the demands of the fast-moving aerospace sector.
During the visit, conducted by Dunlop’s sales and marketing director, David Skepper, finance director, Stephen Ray, and director of OE business development, Martin Pye, the Business Minister was told about plans to enhance the factory’s testing capabilities so that it can develop a wider range of tyres.
Ms Soubry said: “The Midlands is a hub of modern, high-tech firms driving things forward and creating high skilled jobs. For example, Dunlop is the only dedicated aircraft tyre manufacturer and retreader in the world – its products are exported to more than 80 countries.
“We have a long term plan for this region to become an Engine for Growth and companies like this will help the Midlands to lead the way.”
David Skepper said: “We are firmly committed to maintaining our manufacturing in Birmingham and have made a significant investment in new production equipment over the last two years,”
“During our meeting with the Business Minister we discussed Government initiatives that could help companies like Dunlop to accelerate their growth.”
Exports now account for more than 80% of Dunlop’s sales, with tyres made in Birmingham being shipped to commercial and military aircraft operators around the world.
To help fuel further international growth, Dunlop opened a distribution and retreading facility in China that supports the Asia Pacific region. Later this year the company will open its first retreading centre in North America.
The Minister also visited Sparkhill-based Indestructible Paints, which produces a range of high performance paints and coatings for the defence and aerospace industries. Its customers include NASA, McLaren F1 and Rolls Royce.
Moving on to Coventry she also attended CFS Aeroproducts, which overhauls and refurbishes engines and propellers on a range of aircraft.
While not an aerospace business, the Minister also visited Rugby-based concrete producer CEMEX. The company’s plant is one of the most modern in the world and includes the largest kiln in the UK. The company contributes £25.5m per annum to the local economy.
