Businesses Urged To Take Flight With Bombardier

Local companies should exploit potentially lucrative subcontract opportunities with international suppliers for Bombardier Aerospace's new CSeries aircraft programme.

That was the focus of an event hosted by Invest Northern Ireland in Belfast this week, attended by around 50 local company delegates who presented their product and service solutions to top buyers and executives from 30 of Bombardier's potential primary suppliers to the CSeries programme.

Bombardier in Belfast is responsible for the design, development and manufacture of the advanced composite wings for Bombardier's CSeries aircraft. It is currently finalising contracts with top-tier suppliers, many of whom travelled especially to discuss potential business opportunities with local companies at the event.

Among the opportunities that could become available for local companies are the provision of products and services in areas as diverse as tooling, factory automation, software and logistics.

The event was also a chance for local delegates to establish and cultivate potentially valuable ongoing relationships with these key players in the global aerospace supply sector.

Alastair Hamilton, Invest Northern Ireland's Chief Executive, (pictured left) with Michael Ryan, Vice President and General Manager of Bombardier Aerospace, said: "Bombardier is one of Northern Ireland's most innovative companies and a major player in the global aerospace industry.

"The company's decision last year to invest over half a billion pounds in Northern Ireland is indicative of the international esteem in which the capability and talent of the local operation and associated supply network are held.

"I am delighted that representatives from some of the biggest names in the global aerospace supply sector have come to Belfast to learn at first hand how NI companies can deliver the world-class products and services needed for a major aircraft programme like the CSeries."

Michael Ryan, Vice President and General Manager of Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast, added: "There is clear potential for knock-on benefits of our CSeries aircraft programme investment to the whole Northern Ireland economy if local companies win high value contracts with our primary suppliers. We are also actively encouraging local companies to participate in the national manufacturing excellence programme, SC21, which is aimed at improving their competitiveness and enabling them to compete on the world stage."

See: Bombardier Takes Off

(BMcC/JM)