Trade mission goes west in search of aerospace business
WOLVERHAMPTON firms are being invited to take part in a trade mission to America which is aimed at boosting the city”s aerospace and advanced technologies industries.
The proposed trade mission to Greater Richmond, Virginia, will give private sector organisations from the city the chance to meet key players in the state’s significant aerospace and advanced engineering sectors and discuss opportunities for international trade, collaboration and innovation.
Though primarily aimed at organisations working in Wolverhampton’s advanced engineering and manufacturing sectors, other key sectors such as local green technology, food and drink and creative organisations are also being encouraged to get involved.
The proposed mission will take place in May and give up to six local businesses the chance to seek contract, sales and supply chain opportunities by having one-to-one meetings with Greater Richmond businesses and carrying out detailed research into the US market.
The local businesses will be supported by Wolverhampton City Council, the University of Wolverhampton and UK Trade and Investment on the mission.
Councillor Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: “We believe that there is a huge untapped market for our local businesses in the USA.
“The aerospace industry in particular is one of Wolverhampton’s key business sectors and the type of high-end manufacturing we want to see in our city. If we want to become an even bigger player in the area we need to look to the global market.”
Virginia’s aerospace industry includes nearly 160 firms employing more than 24,500 people, and recently became the home of a new jet-engine manufacturing operation for Rolls-Royce.
