A hundred years ago when the Welsh talked about a rich seam, they would be talking about coal.
The country was famed for its miners and its engineers who kept the wheels of British industry turning through much of the last century.
But over the past 25 years, mines closed and the hills and valleys of south Wales became an industrial wasteland with strong engineering-based human resources and no jobs.
Today, the rich seam described by John Whalley, head of the Aerospace Wales Forum, is one of aerospace expertise that has grown from small beginnings into a major part of the UK's aerospace industry.
And the Aerospace Wales Forum is confident that it can grow even more. It is here at Le Bourget in Hall 2, ready to show off its members' expertise and to persuade other companies to join the likes of Airbus, GE, Raytheon, Thales, British Airways and Nordam and open a facility in the principality.
The challenge for Whalley and his member companies is immense. As he admits, a lot of people - particularly in the USA - don't know where Wales is.
Wales is part of the UK, 200 miles (320km) to the west of London made famous in recent years by Diana, the late Princess of. Others will recognise it as the birthplace of Catherine Zeta Jones and Richard Burton and the spiritual home of rugby.
Whalley sees other assets worth promoting. "With Cardiff International airport we have great access in the south," he says, a fact that did not go unnoticed by British Airways and GE which both set up substantial MRO facilities close to the airport.
"We now estimate that between 30% and 35% of the UK's MRO activity by value and 25% by employment is within 30 miles of Cardiff airport," Whalley says.
He talks passionately about the headlines the Welsh-based aerospace businesses are achieving. "We had over 2 billion ($3.8 billion) in sales through 150 aerospace companies and we reckon we have 20% of the UK's aerospace workforce - that's 20,000 people - and the numbers are growing."
Whalley points to recent successes:
- GE Aircraft Engine Services facility which will service the GP7200 engine for the Airbus A380 fleet;
- NORDAM Europe - announcing a major 8.4 million investment and expansion at its aircraft overhaul and repair plant in Wales - doubling production staff and creating 220 new jobs;
- British Airways Avionics Engineering, opened in Wales 10 years ago with 90 staff, now employs more than 200;
- The 77 million superhangar built for the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) opened last month - one of the largest and most advanced facilities in Europe;
- Airbus UK's plant at Broughton in north Wales specialising in the production of wings for all Airbus aircraft families;
- Parc Aberporth, a specialist centre for developing UAV systems and technology in the less populated area of west Wales.
The Forum has also set up significant links with universities in Wales. "We see this as being very important for the future of the industry in the region and giving great opportunities for partnerships between academia and the aerospace companies."
Whalley will be manning the stand (J15 in Hall 2B). "If your company is looking for new growth or expansion opportunities through relocation, collaboration, export or supply chain opportunities then come and talk to us," he says.
"In Wales you will have the full support of the Welsh Assembly, the Welsh Development Agency and partners such as Wales Trade International and the Aerospace Wales Forum, which can facilitate success for your business."
Several members of the Aerospace Wales Forum are exhibiting on the stand.
Overhall Aerospace was formed in April 2004 to undertake galley build, new or installations for both narrow and widebody aircraft for the major OEM airframe manufacturers worldwide.
Training
TWI, world centre for materials joining technology, is a membership-based organisation with more than 3,500 industrial members in 60 countries. It encompasses an international training and certification activity, and large consultancy and R&D groups. It offers many different joining technologies including arc, laser, electron beam and friction welding, augmented by adhesive bonding, brazing, and diffusion bonding.
The Centres of Excellence for Technology and Industrial Collaboration (CETIC) is a network of 18 accredited research groups which have an exceptional track record of delivering the latest developments in world-class science, engineering and technology to Welsh, UK and international companies, including organisations that are seeking to invest in Wales.
MPI Aviation has been providing quality temporary labour solutions throughout Europe since 1962 and has a proven record in undertaking fixed price packages of work including cargo conversions, modifications, maintenance and structural repairs with the ability to reduce costs and deliver to tight programme deadlines.
Irvin-GQ designs, manufactures and supplies a comprehensive range of parachutes, emergency, rescue, and survival products for the international military and civil aerospace markets.
TTems, subsidiary of the global electronics manufacturing company TT Electronics, is one of the largest, UK-based, electronic manufacturing services (ems) providers globally. It is an established manufacturer of electronic and electromechanical assemblies and finished product to the defence and aerospace industries.
The EnerSys Sealed Lead Acid aircraft battery range has been designed for high power and long life, thereby meeting a wide variety of military and civil requirements. Dispatched from the manufacturer's factory fully charged, they are completely sealed, fully aerobatic and maintenance free. The unique pure lead grids and recombination technology ensure a long shelf life; only a voltage check is normally required before fitting to the aircraft.
Tritech Group, established for over 20 years in the investment casting industry, provides a complete service to manufacture components in accordance with aerospace, defence and customer standards.
Source: Flight Daily News
