Fighting tough economic conditions, over 100 South East aerospace and defence businesses yesterday joined up with some UK’s largest Aerospace manufacturers for the first South East AEROLINK at FIVE in Farnborough.
Delegates and buyers from across the various manufacturing tiers from large primes to small SMEs met to discuss ways they could explore collaborative working to increase competitive advantage across the sector – one of the most important to the South East economy.
The AEROLINK format was originally started in Wales in 2004, where forums have run each year since, bringing businesses together as well as offering a forum for education and knowledge share.
As well as ‘Meet the buyer’ one to one sessions with companies such as Agusta Westland, BAE Systems and Rolls Royce, delegates from over 100 SMEs were also able to attend seminars and workshops on innovation within the sector.
Commenting on the day, John Copley, CEO of FAC said: “Our role at FAC is to encourage growth in the aerospace & defence sectors in the South East. With over 300 members we are one of the largest trade aerospace associations in the UK and are passionately committed to helping our members during these tough economic times. Many of the buyers here today represent global companies and this is great time for exporting as well as supporting industry on our door steps.
“Feedback today has been excellent and we hope to be running this type of event annually, taking it from strength to strength each year.”
Andy Elford, Technical Director of Beagle Aerospace added, “We’re delighted that FAC have used AEROLINK 2009 to join together so many different players from the local region. We wholeheartedly support the initiative as we are continually looking at our supply chain for innovation and value. Increasingly we are looking to the local supplier base to help us improve quality and reduce costs. By meeting the sales teams from a variety of new and known businesses we are able to discuss real business issues and I’m confident that a number here today will be working with us as a direct result of today.”