aimaerospace in the midlands The quarterly newsletter of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance Issue 27 Autumn 2011

EXCELLENCE in manufacturing isessential for success in the aerospaceindustry, but in today’s globalenvironment, being good at justprocess is not enough: you have tohave advanced technology as well.

Dr Hamid Mughal, Rolls-Royceexecutive vice-president, ManufacturingEngineering and Technology, told agathering of MAA members in Coventrythat competitive advantage “will comefrom innovative manufacturing andsystems technologies. You have to do both.”

Delivering the keynote speech at acombined MAA members’ meeting andAGM at the new ManufacturingTechnology Centre (MTC), Dr Mughal saidprocess excellence is rooted in standardsand standardisation. To succeed inmanufacturing, you have to eliminatevariation and deviation from output.

“Concentrate on the shop floor andsupply chain,” he said. The moreefficient the shop floor, the less time isspent firefighting, freeing up time forinnovation.

Rolls-Royce pursues innovationthrough a global network of advancedmanufacturing research centres such asthe MTC. It is no accident, said DrMughal, that five of the seven centres

are in the UK. Such centres with theircollaborative model of research workbecause they remove the fear of failure,he said. “They free people fromtraditional business constraints.”

The goal, he said, is to achieveknowledge-based manufacturingexcellence. Whatever you do inmanufacturing and design, it is“absolutely critical” to create standards.“Start with standardisation; build on thatand keep it simple.”

Prof Ken Young, MTC technologydirector, said the MTC was set up toaddress a ‘black hole’ in manufacturingcapability readiness levels (MCRL).Phases between university researchand industry adoption are poorlysupported for a variety of reasons.“Bridging this gap is what the MTC is allabout,” he said.

It is “exciting” to be able to takeresearch all the way through to fruition,a capability lacking in most pureacademic and industry environments.

Among projects lined up at MTC arenet shape manufacturing, intelligent

‘Back to basics’call to industryManufacturing excellence must remain base of success

In this issue:

Seat Design Copicks up award– page 4

Engineer ofthe year –page 7

ATEP 2 projectsnear completion– page 6

Continued on p2

The newManufacturingTechnology Centrenear Coventry.

WHAT does it take to supply

global aerospace companies such

as Hamilton Sundstrand, Pratt &

Whitney and Sikorsky?

MAA members keen to hear the

answer should book now for the

intensive one-day workshop

entitled ‘Inside United

Technologies (UTC) with the MAA’

at the Wolverhampton site of HS

Marston Aerospace on 18 January.

Marston, a member of UTC’s

Hamilton Sundstrand group,

supplies a range of heat transfer

and fluids management products

for commercial and military

markets.

Managing director David Danger

is hosting the event with MAA chief

executive Andrew Mair, who said

the day’s programme is set up “to

give you the facts you need to be a

supplier to UTC companies. We

are fortunate to have MAA

members like HS Marston willing

to share vital facts about how to

supply the global market.”

MAA workshopoffers insight into supplyingglobal primes

UTC companyPratt & Whitney,whose PW4000-100 powers theAirbus A330, is aglobal playerwhose supplychain attractsinterest in theMidlands.

2

THE MAA presence at Farnborough in2012 will be bigger than at anyprevious show and will offer memberssuperb display space in the sameprime location.

Marketing manager Emma Burgesssays the MAA stand in its popular Hall 1position will be bigger and will featurean innovative new design. “For thisshow, we will be offering individual podswith a full 60 per cent more wall spacefor exhibitors to exploit.”

There will be a permanently staffedreception, a central kitchen and storagearea, and several meeting tables. Morepromotional opportunities, such as anOlympics-themed activity, are planned.

Says Emma: “What makes the MAAstand out is that we deliberately allocateso much of the available space andbranding opportunities to the companiesthat exhibit with us. You can choose apod or make a larger area to promoteyour company with two or three pods.

automation, advanced jigs and fixtures,high accuracy automated welding,integrated wing assembly andassembly of high integrity electronicssystems.

The MTC recognises that it needs tobring benefits to SMEs as well as itsindustry members Aero EngineControls, Airbus and Rolls-Royce. Hetold MAA members: “We rely on you to

tell us what you need.”Nick Willers of MAA member

Accrofab, presenting a companyoverview, said rapid prototyping hadproven “very successful” in saving time,money and surprises at themanufacturing stage.

Acres Engineering’s Luke Parkerdescribed his company’s developmentof a bespoke disk cleaning machine asan example of the flexibility andinnovation capability of a company thatstarted as a ‘metal basher’.

Prof Young (right)inspects an inletguide vane modelwith Nick Willersof Accrofab.

Artist’s drawing ofthe proposedFarnboroughstand showing thedisplay space onindividual pods.

‘Super pods’3.9m tall and2.4m wide offer ampleopportunities forexhibitors topromote theirbrands.

‘Back to basics’Continued from p1

Members quizzed on Singapore andother airshowsFOLLOWING on from an excellent andbusy week at the Paris airshow in June,plans are in hand for a bumperpresence at Farnborough 2012.

The MAA is also calling forexpressions of interest in exhibiting atthe Singapore airshow from 14-19February 2012, as well as other smallershows, such as ILA Berlin. “Fourcompanies coming with the MAA willmake these shows viable,” commentedchief executive Andrew Mair.

There is no question in the minds ofParis exhibitors that working with theMAA was a benefit. A spokesman forAdvanced Composites Group, one ofthe record 14 exhibitors, said: “The podlooked great, the stand was well-positioned and it attracted a lot ofvisitors.”

First-time exhibitor Ricardo said thework done by the MAA with UKTIcommercial officers for Italy “resulted inboth of the people I requested to meetvisiting our stand. I will let you know how Iget on with them in the coming months.”

Among VIP guests at the MAA standwere Mark Prisk, Minister for Businessand Enterprise, BIS; Sir PeterWestmacott, British Ambassador toFrance; and Malcolm Harbour, MEP forthe West Midlands.

Biggest presence yet for Farnborough 2012

“And with another of the MAA’s usualopen plan design, companies not onlyhave their own space but visitors arepositively encouraged onto the stand –and every pod is visible as you walkalong the aisles.”

Farnborough 2012 already promisesto be another Midlands success story.Bookings are now being taken forFarnborough 2012. Please contactemma.burgess@midlandsaerospace.org.uk

3

aerospace in the midlands

THE results of the annual poll for three of the six elected board members wereannounced at the recent MAA AGM, along with a change to ensure smallcompanies are fully represented.

Re-elected for two-year terms were Craig Askew of ITP Engines UK andSimon Beech of Bulwell Precision Engineers, while joining the board for the firsttime was Adrian Leatherland of the Resource Group.

Chairman Clive Snowdon congratulated the successful candidates andthanked Mike Woodhouse of Factura and Jonathan Lee Group, who also stood.

CEO Andrew Mair said the board plans to use its discretionary power toappoint representatives of small companies to the board. “We feel this will helpbalance the tendency members have to elect representatives from larger,better-known names,” he said.

Mair praised directors who were standing down: “Mark Johnson of Avingtransdecided not to seek re-election due to his extensive business travel, after anoutstanding eight years supporting the MAA board and its predecessor group.Mark Day, previously of Eaton and now with Saywell, is stepping down asappointed director, also after eight years starting as first chairman of AdvantageWest Midlands’ aerospace cluster opportunities group.”

THE MAA has launched a newbusiness support and developmentservice for member companies.

Up to now, MAA expertise andaccess to the organisation’s excellentindustry network have only beenavailable through funded programmesor on an ad hoc basis. Now, says chiefexecutive Andrew Mair, they are beingmade available to all members whowant to tap into the MAA’s extensivecapabilities and network.

Mair encourages members to followa three-step process to pinpoint howMAA expertise can add the most valueto their business:n Step 1: Find out how the MAA canhelp you in a free one-hourconsultation.n Step 2: Discuss your businessobjectives with an MAA expert.n Step 3: Receive recommendationsfrom the MAA tailored to your businessrequirements.

“We have already helped membersprepare for the future by connectingthem to the right customers, creatingtechnology or capability roadmaps and

business plans, and identifying sourcesof funding,” says Mair.

The MAA’s wide knowledge of theaerospace and linked sectors allows itto connect members to their nextcustomers, suppliers or partners. Othertools the MAA team is qualified todeliver include AS9100 Rev C gapanalysis, Business Excellence,Manufacturing Excellence and SC21CSIPs (implementation plans).

For more information, call 024 7643 0250 or e-mailinfo@midlandsaerospace.org.uk.

New MAA service puts expertise,network to work for members

Virtual PiE/BHRGroup seniormanagementteam uses MAAroad-mapping toanalyse itsmarkets,customers andcompetitors.

MAA businessdevelopment inaction (below) at ameet-the-buyerevent with UKTI.

Change on the MAA board

New focus on SME businessdevelopment needsTHE MAA’s business developmentworking group was re-launchedearlier this year, chaired by MAAdirector David Danger, managingdirector at HS Marston.

The group has set three aims: n support member companiesdirectly to develop new businessopportunities; n work with partner organisationswhich contribute to this, such asUKTI and inward investmentorganisations; n in so doing, where relevant,contribute to revenue that sustainsthe MAA (eg Farnborough airshow).

“Business development hasalways been at the heart of theMAA,” says Danger. “We want tomake sure that individual membercompanies can access the MAA’sconsiderable expertise and industrynetwork to help increase their sales.”

Joining Danger on the group areMike Beirns (Abbey Metal Finishing),Peter Dickin (Delcam), Alan Duffield(Winbro Group), Neal Hillier (IconPolymer), Mark Howitt (TekdataInterconnections), Martyn Mangan(Marketing Birmingham), Martin Pye(Dunlop Aircraft Tyres), PeterStevenson (UKTI East Midlands),Nick Willers (Accrofab) and TerryWood (Black Country Chamber ofCommerce and Industry).Do you have ideas for the group?Contact info@midlandsaerospace.org.uk

4

EAST Midlands aerospacecompanies account for 11per cent of the nationalawards presented by the21st Century Supply

Chains (SC21) programme despitehaving just five per cent of companiessigned up to the industry’s nationalsupply chain improvement initiative.

This result puts the East Midlandssecond proportionally among the 12 UKregions, an “impressive” performancein the opinion of Tim Holmes, SC21project manager at the MAA.

Under the two-year SC21 EastMidlands support project, administeredby the MAA on behalf of the EastMidlands Development Agency (emda),and in partnership with the Manufac-turing Advisory Service – East Midlands(MAS-EM), funding was distributed to25 companies and deployed on 38SC21 projects.

All MAA-managed SC21 projects in

the East Midlands have now beencompleted. Project completion metricsreveal the strong impact that thefunded projects had not only on day-to-day business performance but also onsales and retention of customers at alarge majority of participants. They alsoshowed that relationships withcustomers improved amongparticipants, and all rated the MAA’smanagement of the project excellent orvery good.

East Midlands punchesabove weight in SC21As the MAA-managed East Midlands SC21 project concludes, Aerospace in theMidlands reflects on some of its successes.

Seven East Midlands companieshave reached the first SC21 recognitionperformance levels and been presentedwith Bronze awards. They are:n AAR Internationaln Bulwell Precision Engineersn Chemring Defence UKn Glenair UKn Midland Aerospacen SL Engineeringn The Seat Design Company.

“MAS-EM and the MAA assisted allseven companies through the SC21support project,” says Tim, “and six ofthem received grant funding to deploythe SC21 framework or carry outimprovement projects.”

The East Midlands support projecthas also generated four video casestudies and nine case studydocuments. “These case studies will bepromoted using an MAA SC21 Twitteraccount and YouTube channel as theproject closes,” said Tim. “This work willbe used to raise the profile of thosecompanies, promote the SC21programme and communicate theassistance provided by the MAA onbehalf of emda.”

Support was “excellent throughout,”said Shaun Moloney, MD of AtlasComposites. The MAA has “a goodunderstanding of SMEs involved inmanufacturing and therefore appreciatesthe level of commitment it takes toimprove performance and achievesustainable long-term employment.”

Steve Willis, GM of Cinch Connectors,said: “We received good clear supportand advice from MAA.”

“The entire project has been verybeneficial,” said Christine Parsons of

Executives of theSeat DesignCompany (SDC)pick up theirSC21 Bronzeaward from BAESystems. Fromleft, Mark Millan(SDC), PeterHogg and JudithEastwood (BAESystems), KeithSwain and TimWalker (SDC).

East Midlands SC21 support project in numbersThe MAA’s project concluded on 30 September 2011, on budget and having achieved all targets.Here are some of the significant numbers it generated:

n An average improvement in quality performance of 1.46%, to 99.15%.

n An average improvement in delivery performance of 7.09% to 87.45%.

n An average increase in business turnover of 18.77%.

n An average improvement of 23.4% in value added per person and 12.2% in stock turns

n 83 businesses received direct support, with 123 people receiving relevant training.

n 25 companies have been directly funded; 19 SMEs and 6 non-SMEs.

n 38 projects were supported, 28 by the MAA in addition to 10 by MAS-EM.

n Funding totalling £187,000 was awarded.

n 6 of 7 bronze-award winning East Midlands companies received direct funding from the project.

n 4 video case studies and 9 written case studies were generated to provide lessons for the future.

5

aerospace in the midlandsEast Midlands SC21 support project participating companies

AAR International

Accrofab

AF Fasteners

Atlas Composites Ltd

Bulwell Precision Engineering

Chemring Defence UK

Cinch UK Ltd

Cosworth

CVI Laser

Gardner Aerospace–llkeston

H Beasley

Jack Tighe

Jaivel Limited

Kingfield Electronics

Midland Aerospace

OLD Engineering Ltd

PS Marsden

Paul Fabrications

Sigma Precision

SL Engineering

SPE Ltd

Swift Tool Precision

Taylor Kightly Engineering

The Seat Design Co

Tower Tool Ltd

THE fifth and final workshop of the MAA-supported SC21 East Midlands regionalcluster was hosted by Atlas Compositeson 24 August at its site in Ilkeston.

It was the last review meeting of thefive companies that had linked upunder the SC21 programme umbrella toshare challenges and best practicealong the improvement journey.

Atlas Composites MD ShaunMoloney welcomed representativesfrom Chemring Defence UK, CVI Laser,Paul Fabrications and SL Engineeringwho collaboratively make up the groupin conjunction with the MAA and TPTConsultancy.

MAA SC21 manager Tim Holmessaid each workshop gave companies“a chance to share and reflect on theirprogress”. The East Midlands clusterdemonstrated the value of the SC21framework and its relevance to anyorganisation “because while the fivemembers have a very diverse range ofproducts and services, deploying theSC21 framework identified not just theirown challenges but the ‘red threads’that small supply chain companieshave in common.”

Each workshop focused on differentkey topics such as strategic planningand root cause corrective action. SaidTim: “Some companies have beengood at certain aspects but by sharingtheir experiences, good and bad,they’ve learned from each other andbeen able to shore up individualweaknesses. The way companiessupported each other has given real

value to the activity.”This review meeting represented the

end of an 18-month journey from theinitial pre-positioning review, somethingwhich Tim reflects on with great pride.

“The East Midlands Cluster Groupcan be proud of achieving nationalrecognition for its collaborative workethic,” said Tim. Two of its members,SL Engineering and Chemring Defence,have already received nationalrecognition with SC21 bronze awards.

Added Tim: “The commondenominator with all group memberswas their willingness to share bestpractice experiences, a concept whichalso coincided with a significant periodof growth for all cluster group members.”

In deploying SC21 principles, AtlasComposites has already reapedsignificant rewards. A reduction in theduplication of processes and need tosupport customer audits has seen animprovement in supply chainperformance, a fact that Quality Systemsmanager John Davie was quick torecognise. He said: “Our experience ofAS9100 Revision C changes will enableus to make great strides with our SC21programme through shared workingpractices and KPIs. A growing numberof customers and suppliers recognisethe benefits of achieving an SC21benchmark. The combination ofAS9100 Rev C, which we’ve recentlybeen awarded, and SC21 bronze willprovide the perfect platform to positionAtlas Composites as a trusted highperformance composites partner.”

Chemring Defence. “I would certainlyrecommend it to all relevantcompanies.”

In total, the project supported 83 EastMidlands companies to varying degreesand trained 123 employees.

The national SC21 programme hasfive key-customer clusters in which EastMidlands suppliers participate.

More than 480 companies havesigned up to the national SC21programme.

Creative collaboration proves its valueMembers of theEast MidlandsSC21 clustergroup at AtlasComposites site:(from left) ShaunMoloney (Atlas),Tom Townsend(TPT), ChristineParsons(ChemringDefence), IngardSagstad (PaulFabrications),Shaun Fox (SLEngineering),Fraser Pooley(CVI Laser), JohnDavie (Atlas),Shaun Stevenson(SL Engineering)and Tim Holmes(MAA).

Dave Ellis of AARInternationalaccepting thecompany’s SC21Bronze awardfrom Peter Hoggof BAE Systems.

6

FOUR of the six projects run under theMAA’s second Aerospace TechnologyExploitation Programme (ATEP 2) havebeen completed on schedule withoutcomes that promise to benefit theaerospace community.

Bridget Day, MAA technology andinnovation manager, is pleased with theresults, both planned andunanticipated. “The fact that we takeprojects at a risky stage means somemay not fully succeed but spinoffbenefits can sometimes be as excitingas the original targets.”

The programme has supported sixprojects since 2009:n A2OX Aluminium Alloyn Aerospringn Aircraft Tyres Finite ElementModelling (ATFEM)n Chrome-free Ipcoten Endurance brakingn Technology Advancement of SurfaceCoolers (TASC).

The biggest spinoff benefit of thetechnically successful A2OX project ledby Aeromet has been winning additionalfunding from the UK’s nationalTechnology Strategy Board. “The smallamount of funding they received underATEP helped them apply for largeramounts and to progress to the nextlevel,” said Bridget. On the technicalside, the project gathered enough datafor a new Aerospace MaterialsSpecifications (AMS) standard. This

means engineers can now specifyA2OX for new products.

The Aerospring project, led by G&OSprings, concluded with an event atBirmingham Metropolitan collegedesigned to familiarise users of springdata with its findings. The project hasmeasured the properties, when formedas springs, of 10 different materials, allaerospace exotic metals, which hadbeen identified by BAE Systems andAero Engine Controls.

A new collaboration was formedbetween ATEP project partners G&OSprings and Institute of SpringTechnology with BirminghamMetropolitan College. The college hasexperience in tailoring training forindustry and in apprenticeships to suitindividual companies such as Caterpillar.

Bridget said the project’s three SMEpartners are now looking into thepossibility of further funded work.

ATFEM, the third complete project, isprogressing to implementation. Thesuccess of this project, said Bridget, canbe seen in the interest shown in itsresearch by Airbus. Lead partner DunlopAircraft Tyres has re-equipped its finiteelement (FE) system and has employeda full-time staff member to operate it.

European REACH regulationsbanning hexavalent chrome in Ipcotecoatings gave urgency to the Chrome-free Ipcote project. IndestructiblePaints’ ATEP project was the only such

research to attract funding, therebygaining national visibility for the projectand its partners.

On the technical side, the project hasa two-part solution undergoing testingwith Messier-Dowty and Rolls-Royce, theproject’s customer partners. Anunexpected benefit for the three SMEpartners, said Bridget, was riskmanagement training donated by Rolls-Royce as part of the project.

The Meggitt-led Endurance Brakingproject has about six months to run.Bridget is confident the partners willfind a solution to the challenge ofimproving the geometry and molecularlevel chemistry in aircraft brakes. Withthe support of CERAM, specialistglasses and ceramics have beenmanufactured by James Kent forMeggitt Aircraft Braking Systems.

The challenge of the TASC projectwas to create a UK source of supply ofsurface coolers. As part of the project,HS Marston made more than 10samples. The results equalled existingproducts on performance with a savingof cost. “This wasn’t the answer theynecessarily expected,” said Bridget, “butit makes the UK competitive because ofa different production process.”

An additional benefit, she said, wasthe development by project partnerAdvanced Chemical Etching of a newaluminium etching capability which itplans to offer to other markets.

Aerospring applies researchTHE Aerospring project’s windup event on29 September attracted 16 delegates toBirmingham Metropolitan College to learnabout the work achieved by the partners.The event included a tour of theengineering and technical teaching areas ofthe college and hands-on training with theupgraded software, with expert help onhand to help them master the new software,using their own real spring problems.Project partner G&O Springs plans to holda similar event in the new year; details fromSteve Boyd on Steve.Boyd@springs.aero

ATEP 2 yields promising spinoffs“The fact that we takeprojects at arisky stagemeans somemay not fullysucceed butspinoffbenefits canoften be asexciting as the originaltargets.”

7

aerospace in the midlandsNEW MEMBERS

The MAA welcomes the following newmembers to the alliance:

Conduce Group Ltd, NuneatonIT and business services.

DLA Piper, BirminghamGlobal law firm.

GJD Aerotech Ltd, LutterworthMaintenance, AOG support, AD & SBcompliance, parking, storage, aircraftpartout and disposal.

Güdel UK Ltd, CoventryGantry robotics, turnkey automationsystems, linear guideway technologyand power transmission components.

Industrial Measurements LtdCastle DoningtonTorque measurement.

KMF Precision Sheet MetalNewcastle-under-LymeIntegrated bespoke metal work.

Marketing Birmingham, BirminghamStrategic marketing.

Mills & Reeve, BirminghamLegal services.

Nelsons Solicitors, DerbyLegal services.

Omega Resource Group, WorcesterRecruitment specialists.

Shorterm Group Ltd, DerbySpecialist suppliers of manufacturing,engineering, maintenance andcomposite technicians to the aerospaceindustry.

Simpson RecruitmentBarton-under-Needwood, StaffsRecruitment consultancy.

University of Nottingham Instituteof Aerospace Technology NottinghamAerospace research.

University of Wolverhampton WolverhamptonHigher education, R&D, innovation andskills, business support.

Innovative engine workearns top design awardMIDLANDS engineer Shaun Addy hasbeen named Design Engineer of theYear at the British EngineeringExcellence Awards (BEEA) forinnovative work on engines.

Shaun, in his current role atBirmingham-based engine makerCubewano, perfected a small heavyfuel rotary engine for a US military UAVproject. The judges commended himfor being “innovative in a smallcompany... taking risks, but using hisexperience.” He exemplified “thatlegendary ‘one step further’ ethos.”

s www.cubewano.com

Work starts on Nottinghamaero technology centre

THE University of Nottingham hasstarted work on its £3.3 millionAerospace Technology Centre.

The building forms part of theuniversity’s £7 million Institute forAerospace Technology, which is beingestablished with £3.6 million from theEuropean Regional Development Fund.

This will support a major infrastructureinvestment and a business engagementand knowledge transfer programmesupporting regional SMEs.

The development includes theconstruction of a large steel-framedbuilding which will provide space for aworkshop, offices, meeting rooms andlaboratories, extending facilities at theuniversity’s Innovation Park.

s www.nottingham.ac.uk

Boeing Dreamliner deliverycelebrated at Rolls-Royce

ROLLS-Royce celebrated the delivery ofthe first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to launchcustomer All Nippon Airways (ANA) asthe beginning of a new era in airtransportation. The aircraft is poweredby Trent 1000 engines made in Derby.

Mark King, Rolls-Royce President –Civil Aerospace, said the Dreamliner“represents a quantum leap intechnology over the generation ofairliners it will replace.

“It marks the beginning of a new era

Shaun Addy: leg-endary ‘one stepfurther’ ethos.

of cleaner and more efficient airliners.”The Trent 1000 is specifically

designed for the Dreamliner andincorporates the latest aerodynamic,materials and coating technologies inan in-service airliner.

s www.rolls-royce.com

New site in planning byAero Engine Controls

MIDLANDS-based Aero EngineControls is planning to develop a new250,000sq ft headquarters site inBirmingham Business Park.

The company has earmarked the sitefor a multi-purpose facility for itsdesign, development, manufacturing,qualification and R&D work, with spaceto expand.

Simon Burr, chief executive of AeroEngine Controls, said: “This is the firststage in expanding our capability andbuilding a home for the long-term futureof our business.”

s www.aeroenginecontrols.com

First A380 in China ispowered by Trent 900s

ROLLS-Royce has extended itsrelationship with China Southern Airlineswith the delivery of its first Airbus A380.China Southern has five on order, allpowered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900engines built in Derby. Its fleet is the firstto enter service in China.

China Southern chairman Si Xianminsaid: “We have enjoyed a long andpositive relationship with Rolls-Royce,operating a range of its engines in ourcurrent fleet, and look forward to thiscontinuing in the future.”

s www.rolls-royce.com

Boeing fundsstrategic carbonfibre recyclingcollaboration

SIR Roger Bone,

president of Boeing UK,

has launched a major

new collaborative

investment in carbon

fibre recycling research

involving Boeing

Commercial Airplanes

and The University of

Nottingham’s Faculty

of Engineering. Boeing

plans to invest $1

million a year in a

strategic research

collaboration – an

inclusive partnership

in which Boeing will

collaborate with

Nottingham in all its

composites recycling

activities.

About the MAA… Contact the MAA

If you have a query or suggestion

that you wish to make, please

contact the MAA by any of the

means below:

T: +44 (0) 2476 430250F: +44 (0) 2476 430251E: info@midlandsaerospace.org.uk

The Midlands Aerospace Alliance(MAA) is the voice of companies in theBritish Midlands supplying global aero-space. It was set up in 2003 to improvewealth creation and employment forcompanies and people involved in theaerospace industry across theMidlands. The MAA is supported byAdvantage West Midlands (AWM) andthe East Midlands DevelopmentAgency (emda).

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For additional copies of AIM, or to add your clients to the distribution database,please contact the MAA Secretariat.

MAA events for your diary:

Quarterly members meetingThursday, 8 December16:00 – 19:00Yamazaki Mazak, WorcesterKeynote presentation from GEAviation and Ultra Electronics –PMES and a tour of YamazakiMazak’s machine toolmanufacturing facility prior tomeeting.

Inside United Technologieswith the MAAWednesday, 18 January 201209:30 – 16:00HS Marston, WolverhamptonLearn what it takes to supplyglobal aerospace companies.

Singapore Airshow 201214-19 February 2012SingaporeMembers interested in exhibitingwith the MAA should contactEmma Burgess at the MAA forinformation.

Farnborough Airshow 20129-13 July 2012Farnborough, HampshireMembers interested in exhibitingwith the MAA should contactEmma Burgess at the MAA forinformation.

NEWS IN BRIEF CALENDAR

8

New apprenticeshipscheme targets suppliers A BRAND new apprenticeship schemefor the engineering sector has beenlaunched that could help MAAmembers address key skills shortages.

Rolls-Royce in Derby has started totrain more apprentices than its ownbusiness requires on an 11-monthprogramme to a Level 2 qualification;the first year of the apprenticeship.

In July 2011, the first seven traineeswere recruited to the Rolls-Roycestandard and started on the rollingMidland Manufacturing Apprenticeshipprogramme. The intention is that every12 weeks, eight new trainees will jointhe programme, if the company has

successfully placed the apprenticeswith a quality engineering employer.

Rolls-Royce plans to work with thetrainees to find suitable employment atengineering employers where they cango on to complete their training andachieve a full apprenticeship.

This Midlands ManufacturingApprenticeship programme is being runby Rolls-Royce with governmentsupport. The company has committedto developing and training apprenticesfor the wider engineering sector, as partof its investment in a new multi-millionpound state-of-the-art training academydedicated to training the apprentices ofthe future.

For more information contactandy.cripps@rolls-royce.com.

MAA member Comar Engineering of Wolverhampton has won a large order fromGoodrich Actuation Systems for test rigs for the Bombardier C-Seriesprogramme. Goodrich is producing the high-lift system for the aircraft’s wings.

Midlands polymer component manufacturer Icon Polymer has won a new contractto supply fire seals for Bombardier’s C-Series commercial jet. It will supply seals forthe pylon to Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kansas.

Coventry-based Lightning Aerospace is the newest member of the Midlands

Assembly Network. Lightning was recently acquired by manufacturingentrepreneur Andrew Redfern, who has led the company to a record annualturnover of £3 million.

Among MAA members to acquire AS 9100 Revision C accreditation are Able

Precision Engineering of Birmingham and Atlas Composites in Derbyshire.

The intentionis that every12 weeks,eight newtrainees willjoin theprogramme, if thecompany hassuccessfullyplaced theapprenticeswith a qualityengineeringemployer.