Why Join the Forum?
This website aims to be both a focal point for those companies, and a springboard into the future.
Wales
The country of Wales is a constituent part of the United Kingdom (UK). With a population of almost 3 million. Wales has developed a dynamic business culture embracing and supporting the ambitious entrepreneur through to some of the world's largest multinationals. A land rich in advanced technologies, modern skills and opportunity, Wales is a confident, forward thinking nation, with a knowledge based workforce committed to maintaining a world class business environment.
Europe and in particular the UK is a major market for aerospace and defence and continues to provide a key element of the global industry. Wales provides a significant contribution to the UK's share, employing over 20,000 people in the sector and generating sales over £2bn per year. Six of the world's top ten companies have a presence in Wales - EADS, BAE Systems, Raytheon, General Dynamics, General Electric and Finmeccanica. Other leading companies such as Boeing, Thales and Rolls-Royce are also developing research and project links.
There are two key clusters, one centred on the Airbus wing plant at Broughton in North Wales and the other a concentration of military and civil MRO centred on Cardiff International Airport. The launch of the A350 jetliner will further bolster prospects for Airbus UK’s Broughton plant, as does the production phase for the larger A380. The composite A350 wing will require a broad UK supply chain that can deliver key composite components. As part of the move towards the new materials TWI has already received funding to establish a non-destructive test facility at Port Talbot as part of the National Composites Network.
MRO activities include 3 divisions of British Airways, GE Aviation, Nordam Europe, Raytheon Aircraft Services, NWMAS, Babcock International, Total Engine Support and DSG (Defence Support Group - formerly DARA). Facilities exist at a range of locations including Broughton, Cardiff International Airport and RAF Valley. The Welsh Assembly Government currently has a major development project covering the future exploitation of the the DSG facility at St Athan. Discussions are underway with a range of MRO and manufacturing organisations as well as the site being proposed as the home of a new academy for advanced technical training for all branches of the UK's armed services. (Defence Training Rationalisation – DTR)
In the west of Wales, Parc Aberporth is establishing itself as a centre of excellence for the testing and development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Parc recently hosted its annual exhibition and flying display which now attracts participants from all over the world. Selex has now taken space at the facility which is expected to be a key testing location for new programmes such as the UK's technology demonstrator ASTRAEA (Autonomous Systems Technology Related Airborne Evaluation & Assessment). The Welsh Assembly Government is investing over £3m in the demonstrator which is a major element of the UK National Aerospace Technology Strategy.
Universities and colleges in Wales with an aerospace related offering are linking together to provide a combined offering of engineering expertise and training. MRO related training is delivered by the International Centre for Aerospace Training and Lufthansa Resource Technical Training. The academic resources are supplemented by a Technium Network established to provide additional R&D and business incubation capacity in areas such as Software, Optoelectronics and Performance Engineering.
The Forum in partnership with the UK's trade body the SBAC provides a focal point for all elements of the UK's Aerospace Innovation and Growth programme. The future development of the industry's supply chain is seen as vital to maintaining the UK's leading role in aerospace and the implementation plan for SC21 (Supply Chain for the 21st Century) is currently being developed. This builds on a number of well established Forum activities designed to improve the competitiveness and marketability of member companies. The Forum and its members regularly exhibit at major aerospace events including Farnborough International and Le Bourget, Paris. Cardiff also plays host each year to Aerolink Wales, a combined meet-the-buyer event, conference and exhibition.
The Forum, its members and the Welsh Assembly Government's dedicated aerospace team are working closely together to ensure that Wales will continue to punch above its weight in the world's aerospace markets and take advantage of the growth opportunities in aviation, space and defence.
If there are any questions that you would like to know the answer to - please email enquiries@aerospacewales.aero
