Aerospace Alliance launches North West supply chain initiative

The North West Aerospace Alliance is to launch a new supply chain initiative for the North West of England at Paris International Air Show 2017.

NWAA is joined in this new industry funded initiative, described as an Aerospace Cluster of Excellence, by ADS (the UK’s premier trade association for the Aerospace, Defence and Security Sectors) and key UK Aerospace Customers including BAE Systems (based in Warton and Samlesbury) and Safran (based in Burnley).

NWAA is collaborating with 20 aerospace businesses from the North West to develop them into globally competitive companies through mentoring, training, coaching and the development of a new online learning and management system.

These businesses will be some of the first in the UK to use the new national standard framework for improvement “SC21 Competitiveness and Growth” developed by ADS.

The North West of England’s aerospace sector is one of the largest and most capable in the world generating over £8 Billion in turnover and directly employing over 25,000 highly skilled workers.

With the industry forecast to grow by 4.4% per year for the next 20 years, requiring the manufacture of over 35,000 new aircraft worth over $5.3 Trillion, it is clear that global competition for this work is increasing.

Dr David Bailey, chief executive of the North West Aerospace Alliance, said; “The support we have received for the North West Aerospace Cluster of Excellence from our national aerospace and defence trade association - ADS, from key customers such as BAE Systems and Safran has been unprecedented.

"The global competition for work is fierce and I am delighted that so many aerospace businesses from the North West of England have decided to collaborate to ensure we sustain and grow the capability of one of the world’s most important aerospace regions.” Dr Neil Barnett, director of Aerospace, ADS, said; “ADS are delighted the Aerospace Industry in the North West of England has come together with the support of BAE Systems, Safran and NWAA to collaborate on the SC21 Competitiveness & Growth Programme.”