Supply chain under microscope at MAA conference
On the face of it, the UK aerospace industry seems to be healthy, benefiting from the continuing growth of airline fleets across the world. But there is anecdotal and statistical evidence that competitor nations are doing better – and the UK may be slipping back relatively.
Can we grow our supply chain fast enough to retain our share of world markets, or are we at risk of 'hollowing out' with big companies increasingly procuring abroad, as happened to the car industry?
The fourth MAA Annual Conference builds on the success of its predecessors by posing more searching questions vital to the future of our industry and the individual companies that make it one of the UK’s industrial powerhouses.
During the course of the day on 17th March, delegates to the conference will hear updates and insights from UK aerospace industry leaders, with key data about growth prospects, valuable opportunities and useful initiatives for their organisations.
Paul Kahn, President, Airbus Group UK current President of ADS, the national aerospace industry body, will be sharing his views with the conference. Industry leaders from aerospace giants GE, GKN, Rolls-Royce and UTC Aerospace Systems are amongst the other prestigious speakers.
Speakers will tackle a range of big questions in their presentations.
How do industry leaders from the big aerospace primes and Tier 1s, companies like Airbus, GE, GKN, Rolls-Royce and UTC, see the UK sector evolving in future years? What are the short-term and long-term growth trends? Are today’s record full aircraft order books at companies like Airbus and Boeing secure – or is there an orders bubble that might pop?
Of equal importance is how we grow the UK aerospace supply chain? What are the main factors holding back growth?
• Lack of ambition, capability, innovation or finance in supply chain companies?
• Procurement strategies and behaviours at the big companies – which are keeping supplier confidence in the future low?
• Shortages of skills in the labour market?
• The level of government support (R&D, launch aid etc) for the supply chain compared to the big primes and Tier 1s?
According to Dr Andrew Mair, Chief Executive of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance: “If the whole Midlands manufacturing economy is going to continue to benefit from the growing demand for big civil airliners across the world, we have to make sure the work continues to flow into the heart of the supply chain. And there is a lot of competition out there not only from the emerging and low-cost economies but also from our European neighbours like Germany and France. Our supply chain companies need the best advice they can get about where their future lies – and that’s what this conference is all about.”
The line-up of keynote speakers:
Paul Kahn, President, Airbus Group UK
Oliver Towers, President, GE Aviation Dowty Propellers
Jim Godman, Vice President Engineering Function, GKN Aerospace
Rosie Toogood, Executive Vice President, Compressor Components, Rolls-Royce
David Danger, Managing Director, UTC Aerospace Systems - Marston Aerospace
Dr. David Williams, Composites Consultant, Heraeus Noblelight
Kevin Cooke, Senior Manager – Research & Technology, External Technical Affairs, Miba Coating Group. Teer Coatings Ltd
Marcus Bryson CBE, Chairman for Aerospace, UKTI-BIS and Chairman, Aerospace Growth Partnership
Andy Page, Chief Executive, Sharing in Growth
Jeegar Kakkad, Chief Economist and Director of Policy, ADS
David Bailey, Professor of Industrial Strategy, Aston Business School
Glynn Bellamy, Partner, Deal Advisory - Transaction Services, KPMG
Brian Murphy, Managing Director, Meridian Capital
Clive Snowdon, Chairman, Midlands Aerospace Alliance
For information: www.midlandsaerospace.org.uk/events/conference-2016
