Aerospace support

West Midlands aerospace and defence industries have received a major boost thanks to the launch of a new support package.

The £1.5m World Class Supply Chains Initiative (SCI), which is being funded by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and delivered by the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) in partnership with the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, will provide support to more than 90 firms.

With individual grants of up to £20,000 available, businesses in the region are being urged to sign up to the scheme and make sure they benefit from a SCI that improves performance, reduces costs, encourages innovation and will increasingly play a major role in attracting new orders.

Jim Coyle, aerospace cluster manager at Advantage West Midlands, said: 'The £1.5m investment in the West Midlands is currently the biggest regional investment being made in the UK to bring the benefits of SC21 – including the crucial expertise of the major industry leaders – to local manufacturers.