SPECIAL REPORT: Midlands firms wing their way to Farnborough
THE aerospace sector is worth billions to the Midlands’ economy and supports the jobs of thousands of people. In these uncertain times companies are looking to give themselves any competitive advantage. Many will be exhibiting their products and services at this month’s Farnborough International Air Show in the hope of attracting new custom. Duncan Tift looks at some of those taking part and what they hope to achieve.
The importance of the Farnborough International Air Show cannot be overlooked in terms of the continued wellbeing of the Midlands economy.
The aerospace market brings in billions of pounds in revenue and the industry supports the jobs of thousands of people, mainly those operating in the supply chain. However, crucial research and development into new lightweight composite materials is also taking place as the region looks to establish itself as a centre of excellence.
Carrying the flag for the region at the air show are some of the best-known names in the engineering/manufacturing sector; names such as Rolls-Royce, GKN, Goodrich, Meggitt, Ultra Electronics, Bodycote, GE Aviation, Hampson Industries and Dunlop Aircraft Tyres.
Representing the interests of smaller companies and organisations active in the sector is the umbrella group Midlands Aerospace Alliance.
The MAA will be taking a special stand at the show, which takes place between July 19-25, to promote the work of no fewer than 20 organisations which together, span the whole of the region and highlight some of the best and most innovative work taking place today.
One of these, CHH CoNeX, based at Holford Industrial Estate, Witton, is exhibiting at the show for the first time.
The cable assembler has diversified into the aerospace sector only recently after targeting the high growth potential it offered. It completed a root and branch review of its business, identified the areas it wanted to developed and then recruited new members of staff to enable it to compete in the sector.
Andy Whitmore, CHH director responsible for marketing, said: “We refined our strategy during the period between last autumn and March and then after securing the people we needed, we set about executing our plan.
“During June we were successful in securing orders worth £169,000. We think there is the potential for more and by taking part in Farnborough we hope to attract more.
“We have carried out a marketing review and identified target clients. We have lined up interviews with them and then hopefully, we will be in a position to secure new orders.”
The company, which also supplies integrated products and logistics supplies, is on course to generate turnover of £8m this year and its three-year growth plan aims to raise this to £21m by 2013.
Companies on the MAA stand will also be demonstrating how the UK-wide supply chain programme known as SC21 has helped them develop its business.
The national Supply Chains for the 21st Century (SC21) programme is designed to improve the performance of companies and help them compete successfully in global aerospace and defence markets.
Shaun Ashmead, operations director at CHH CoNeX, said: “Aerospace is an important sector for Birmingham and the wider Midlands area.
“This is why SC21 is such a valuable initiative as it can help us to gain an edge over our competitors globally.
“Farnborough is one of the most well-known aviation events in the world. It is a great stage for us to showcase exactly what we do to an international audience, and we are looking forward to this exciting opportunity – something that would not be possible without the support provided through SC21.”
Since the launch of SC21 in 2006, £650,000 of financial assistance has been used to help 70 Midlands companies participate in the programme through projects delivered by the Manufacturing Advisory Service – West Midlands (MAS-WM) and the MAA, and funded by Advantage West Midlands, the European Regional Development Fund and the East Midlands Development Agency.
Cliff Johnson, SC21 project manager at MAS-WM, said: “With over £1m of funding still available the message is clear; any aerospace and defence supplier serious about improving their productivity, quality, cost and delivery should consider deploying the SC21 framework.
“We are using Farnborough to communicate to the global customer community the significant improvements already made by Midlands companies and to encourage others to participate in the programme.”
As the regional trade association representing aerospace and defence companies across the Midlands, the MAA has exhibited at Farnborough since 2004 and this year the MAA stand will host 20 local companies including a number that have adopted SC21, with part of the central area dedicated to the SC21 support project.
Another MAA member looking to boost its business is the West Midlands manufacturing consortium known as MAN.
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MAN, left, a 10-strong group of engineering companies, will also be heading to the event for the first time. Its goal is to help 1st and 2nd tier suppliers reduce their costs, develop new products and improve their quality and delivery performance.
The coalition specialises in providing a single point of contact for customers looking to access industry-leading expertise in mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering. It already boasts a proven track record of delivering £10m contracts across the globe.
“This is our first time exhibiting at Farnborough and reinforces our commitment to increasing our market share within the aerospace industry,” said Ian Wiles, who is leading on the event for MAN.
“Firms are crying out for supply chain rationalisation and an increasing commitment to cost downs and just-in-time delivery. These demands are something we know only too well and ones we meet head on thanks to our extensive resources.”
He said the airshow gave the group a great opportunity to showcase itself to some of the sector’s major players, while at the same time, also learning about new opportunities in the supply chain.
Established in 2005, the five original MAN members – Alucast, Barkley Plastics, Brandauer, FW Cables and Westley Engineering – have been joined by Advanced Chemical Etching, Excalibur Engineering, PP Electrical Systems, Note UK and Wrekin Circuits.
Together they form an international trading group that boasts a £60m turnover and manufacturing skills base featuring high volume pressings, sheet metal fabrication, aluminium castings, electronic assemblies and chemical etchings.
Mr Wiles, sales director at Advanced Chemical Etching, said each member of the group brought something different to the table and combined, the service available to OEMs was second to none.
“Aerospace represents a sizeable opportunity for the group and a lot of our members are working towards securing AS9100 accreditation. We genuinely believe we can help to retain some of the major supply contracts for the West Midlands and UK,” he said.
Black Country robotics firm KUKA is another to exhibit. It is currently working in collaboration with Airbus on the development of an innovative automated system for assembling complex aircraft structures, left.
The Halesowen firm will be hoping to catch the eye of other manufacturers interested in a similar capability.
