Aerospace Firms Encouraged To Reach For The Skies

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster is pictured with Stephen Cowan, General Manager, Supply Chain, Bombardier (left) and Leslie Orr, ADS Northern Ireland Manager at the ADS SC21 Supply Chain Awards event.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has urged local aerospace companies to build on their reputation for excellence in the sector.

Arlene Foster addressed over 130 delegates at the ADS Supply Chains for the 21st Century (SC21) awards event in Titanic Belfast where seven Northern Ireland companies received silver and bronze awards following their participation on the SC21 programme.

SC21 is a business excellence programme for aerospace and defence companies in the UK run by ADS, the trade organisation for all companies operating in the UK Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space sectors and encourages best practice and increased competitiveness of Aerospace and Defence companies operating in the supply chain. Invest Northern Ireland and Bombardier Belfast play a key role in supporting the local companies participating in the programme.

Arlene Foster said: "The SC21 initiative provides an opportunity for Northern Ireland companies to demonstrate their capabilities and competence on a national scale. To date, Northern Ireland companies participating in the SC21 programme have seen a 50 per cent increase in sales. More importantly what SC21 has delivered is a structured approach to improvement, and a focus on an open and honest relationship between customer and supplier which is creating the necessary conditions for further growth in the sector.

"The success of Northern Ireland companies in this programme is testament to their commitment to the industry, and to high standards of practice. With ADS Northern Ireland firmly established, the local sector now has a clear voice to champion its development, and I look forward to seeing strong growth in the coming years."

(CD)