Funding boost for NWAA

The

(NWAA) is poised to launch its largest ever assistance package for the region’s aerospace sector thanks to £2.6m from the

(NWDA).

According to a statement, the four-year programme ensures that the NWAA begins 2007 with its Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence Programme (ASCE), previously a smaller scale pilot initiative, poised to enter a more dynamic phase.

Support from the NWDA, the largest and most significant backing in the 12 year history of the Alliance, will ensure that the NWAA can now achieve its aim to elevate Tier 2 aerospace companies to “world-competitive” status in the supply chain.

The funding will support the introduction of aerospace industry mentors to participating companies and will also help the NWAA continue its work through its supply chain workshops.

NWAA Executive Director Martin Wright said: ‘We are extremely grateful for this backing, which is a major endorsement of the work we already have underway. It means we can now progress the Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence Programme and make a real difference both to individual companies and the North West aerospace sector as a whole.

‘Significantly, the amount contributed by the NWDA will be matched by in-kind contributions from within the industry so this really is the shot in the arm we need to accelerate the programme and achieve results.’

Five companies, Nelson-based PDS (CNC) Engineering, Hyde Group, based in East Manchester, Callender Aeropart from the RLC Group; Gardner Group of Burnley and John Huddleston Engineering, of Blackpool, are the first to sign up for the mentoring programme, which is supported by Airbus UK, BAE Systems and Rolls Royce.

Each of the sponsoring companies has committed to supplying industry experts to assist NWAA member companies participating in the programme.