With an annual turnover exceeding £20 billion, the UK aerospace industry ranks second to that of the USA and is one of the UK’s most globally competitive industries. There is a significant aerospace cluster of over 700 companies spread across the East and West Midlands, employing around 45,000 people. Founded on a core technological competency in systems that power and control aircraft, the two Midlands regions account jointly for between 20% and 25% of the UK total industry.
The aerospace companies and institutions spanning the West and East Midlands are linked by common technologies, skills and integrated supply chains, giving in-depth expertise in systems that power and control aircraft.The West Midlands is home to three Rolls Royce plants and has 25% of the Rolls Royce supply chain. World leaders in flight and engine control systems Goodrich and GE Aviation as well as specialist metal suppliers such as Timet and Special Metal Wiggin, give the region a global position in composite materials and aerospace manufacture.
The region also has a strong base of specialist engineering design services, factory equipment and tooling capability.
Achievements
• Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA) provides networking and marketing activities for its 250 members in the West and East Midlands. MAA receives funding from Advantage West Midlands.
• The Lift Off programme has delivered supply chain improvement programmes enabling 40 companies to improve performance.
• Delivered by MAA, the Technology Exploitation programme supports five individual projects involving 19 companies and three universities to develop new technologies. This includes the Development of Composite Actuation Gearbox housings led by Rojac Tooling Technologies and Advanced Heat Transfer surface led by Serck Aviation.
• National Aerospace Technology Strategy (NATS) – the national Environmentally Friendly Engine (EFE) programme supports participation by West Midland businesses.
Target Markets 2008 - 11
The New Short Range (NSR) replacement aircraft for the current Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft will be the most significant new aircraft programme for many decades. NSR will be the target market for all aerospace parts and equipment suppliers across the world including West Midland companies. The cluster plan will ensure that Midland suppliers are as ready as can be to win their share of the business in their respective segments, predominantly engine and flight control systems and their supply chains. The focus will be on:
• Enabling supply chain companies to reach world class standards through a World Class Supply Chain for the 21st Century programme to improve accreditations and performance.
• A technology exploitation programme led by the MAA where companies will work together on new technologies.
• Participation in the Next Generation Composite Wing project, led by Airbus.
• Enabling companies to exploit global market opportunities through further market consortium and collaborative business strategy initiatives.