NI Flying High With Aerospace Boost

Contracts in the aerospace, defence and security sectors are being targeted by Northern Ireland's job creation agency with a major event taking place at the Farnborough Airshow this morning.

Supported by Invest Northern Ireland, the UK's national trade organisation, AeroSpace, Defence and Security (A|D|S), has launched a Belfast office to promote links to the trade organisation today at the huge airshow.

The new presence for A|D|S will deliver a programme tailored to identify opportunities aimed at further developing Northern Ireland (NI) aerospace, defence and security companies to reach their full potential, increasing market share and raising awareness of NI manufacturing capability and technological achievements internationally.

The office, hosted by Bombardier in Belfast, will bring together leaders from the major global aerospace, defence, and security companies with a Northern Ireland presence, along with successful indigenous companies and academia to collectively decide policy and give direction to the A|D|S NI team.

This team is led by Ian Watson, Director, A|D|S Northern Ireland and Scotland, chaired by David Beatty of Thales UK and managed by Dr Leslie Orr.

Ian Godden, Chairman of A|D|S, said: "I am delighted to formally announce the launch of our Northern Ireland office.

"The UK is number one in Europe and second only to the US globally in aerospace and defence, with the sectors that we represent combining to employ 500,000 people and generate over £60 billion per year to the UK economy.

"The underlying reason for this strength is the diversity of its supply chain from the largest to the smallest companies and Northern Ireland is a perfect illustration of this.

"There are a great number of opportunities for businesses to enter the supply chain in Northern Ireland as well as for businesses based there who wish to access A|D|S services to boost their own exposure to UK and international trading opportunities."

Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive of Invest Northern Ireland, said: "The launch of A|D|S Northern Ireland office is recognition of the importance of this sector to both the Northern Ireland and wider UK economies.

"Through A|D|S, Northern Ireland member companies of all sizes will be able to access valuable resources to improve their capabilities, supply chain opportunities and new export based growth.

"This new office fits with Invest NI's aerospace strategy of encouraging Northern Ireland based companies to seek higher value added opportunities within the global aerospace sector."

Michael Ryan, Vice-President and General Manager, Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast, said: "As a key part of the long and innovative aerospace tradition in Northern Ireland, we are delighted to be able to support the establishment of this new A|D|S office.

"We welcome the opportunity for greater collaboration and cohesion amongst the aerospace companies in Northern Ireland that the new office will help facilitate, as well as the opportunity to further develop the capabilities and skills within this sector."

The founding of A|D|S Northern Ireland and the launch of the Belfast office is the culmination of over 12 months' work between A|D|S, the local industry, Invest Northern Ireland and other stakeholders to determine how best to add value to the aerospace, defence and security sectors within Northern Ireland.

From market information and trade missions to supply chain improvement and skills development, A|D|S represents member companies, and works diligently in promoting the UK’s aerospace and defence sectors' standing as number one in Europe and second only to the USA globally.

A seamless resource of over 100 A|D|S staff located in the UK and overseas who have vast experience and knowledge across the entire spectrum of aerospace, defence, security and space will add considerable weight to the talents of the individual NI member companies.

(BMcC/GK)