See our 12 MAA highlights of 2022

As the clock ticks down to the end of 2022, join us in celebrating 12 of the best MAA moments in 2022. We always enjoy collaborating with our wonderful members and partners to champion the great Midlands aerospace cluster and support innovation across the region.

The year has certainly had its challenges but we're proud of how, once again, the industry has come together to work through them as aircraft build rates increase and new opportunities are created.

During 2022, we’ve supported 280 members, organised 30 great events, expanded our online community to over 6,500 and have grown the global voice of aerospace in the Midlands.

Watch our short video review of the year here!

1: Jet Zero Midlands Conference

Midlands aerospace companies gathered to plan ways to reach net zero by 2050, as part of the Aerospace UP programme, delivered in partnership with the University of Nottingham, with support from the Midlands Engine and the European Regional Development Fund.

Read insights from the Jet Zero Midlands conference here.

2: MAA Annual Conference

With industry growth on the horizon, over 100 people from across the aerospace industry gathered at the 2022 MAA Conference – held at Rolls-Royce in Derby – to highlight future business opportunities.

Thanks to all ten of our sponsors: Rolls-Royce, AE Aerospace, HELLER, Jonathan Lee, the University of Derby, the Defence and Security Accelerator, Flow-3D AM, MJ Sections, North Star Imaging and Wheelabrator as well as our media partner, Aerospace Manufacturing.

Read key insights from the expert speakers at the MAA Conference here.

3: Urban Airport Visit

MAA members enjoyed an exclusive visit to learn how Coventry's first Urban Air Port could enable sustainable air transport such as air taxis and drones, as part of our regular series of insightful Members Meetings which are free for all our members to join.

4: Summer barbecue

Our second summer barbecue, held at Ansty Hall in Coventry, was a memorable event full of good fun, great food and lots of networking with 80 MAA members.

See the gallery here.

5: Farnborough Airshow

The best of Midlands aerospace was exhibited on a global stage at the first Farnborough Airshow in four years. What a return it was. In addition to celebrating the MAA’s 20th anniversary at the show, we were delighted to have 26 excellent companies exhibiting alongside us, making our stand the biggest to date and a true reflection of the collaborative spirit of our region.

We were proud to exhibit with Aerotron Composites, Alloy Wire, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), ASG Group, Broadway Group, Copper & Optic, CCR, Chard Prevision Castings, CWAF, G&O Springs, G&P, Hardide Coatings, Hempel, Helix, Jonathan Lee, Kepston, Orscheln Europe, Maycast-Nokes, Mersen, MJ Sections, Precision Technologies, Sempre, Sigma, Silcoms, S.S White Technologies and Wheelabrator. We were also joined by the Aerospace UP team who showcased the great innovations funded to date.

Read about all the highlights from the airshow here.

6: Farnborough Airshow Dinner

Our first Farnborough Airshow industry dinner was a huge success, with over 80 guests taking the opportunity to catch up and strengthen their industry relationships in the fantastic surroundings of the Aviator hotel.

Thank you to Bromford Group and CBE+ for sponsoring the event.

7: Charity Golf Day

MAA member companies came together for some friendly competition at Ombersley Golf Club in Worcestershire, raising over £1,000 for the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Thanks to everyone who donated prizes.

8: MAA Annual Dinner

Over 200 professionals from every tier of the aerospace industry came together at the spectacular Grand Hotel in Birmingham for our 5th annual black-tie dinner. There was an air of celebration - not just because it’s was the MAA’s 20th anniversary this year - but because the whole industry has been working hard to regrow as air travel has gradually opened back up, build rates have increased and major events like Farnborough Air Show have returned.

Thanks to event sponsors, Deloitte and Dynamic Aerospace Fabrications as well as big MAA supporters, Rolls-Royce, Meggitt, Moog and Collins Aerospace. Thanks also to everyone who donated a prize and took part in the charity raffle which raised an incredible £2,500 for the Air Ambulance Service.

9: Advanced Engineering

Midlands aerospace innovations stood out at the UK's largest exhibition for the manufacturing supply chain, Advanced Engineering UK. What a success the event was. We welcomed many great companies to our stand, discussed exciting innovations and explored how we could help companies make important projects happen with funding and support from Aerospace UP. We were particularly proud of the eight pioneering companies who spoke at the event about how Aerospace UP has been helping them fund their ground-breaking projects, including, bloc digital, DONAA, Faraday Battery, Hyde Engineering Ltd, KITAU Robotics, Metalitest, Silson and ZEEKO.

Thank you to everyone who visited the stand we shared with the University of Nottingham throughout the event. We are proud to represent one of the largest aerospace clusters in the world and to champion cross-sector collaboration across the Midlands region.

10: Cross-Sector Open House

In partnership with Medilink Midlands, the Motorsport Industry Association, the Rail Forum and the University of Nottingham, we created business collaboration across aerospace, defence, medtech, motorsport, nuclear and rail as part of the Cross-Sector Open House.

The event gave companies from a variety of sectors access to experts who shared their knowledge of the latest sector developments as well as current and future opportunities for SMEs across the Midlands. Pioneering SMEs also gave insights into how they have successfully diversified into other sectors.

11: Future planning at the AGM

It was great to see many of our members at our AGM and autumn members meeting. We discussed industry forecasts and plans for working together to support one of the largest aerospace clusters.

Congratulations to Samantha Buckton - Buckton Commercial Solutions Ltd, and Simon Smith - Gardner Aerospace who were re-elected onto the MAA Board of directors and newly elected director Wes Allen, Bromford Group.

Thank you to MAA member company, CBE+, for hosting the event and giving delegates the opportunity to have an exclusive tour of the company’s impressive facilities.

12: Environmental sustainability for Aerospace Suppliers

As part of Aerospace UP, we brought the aerospace supply chain and industry experts together for one final major event in 2022, to agree how to become more sustainable and get ahead in 2023.

There’s even more to come in 2023…

We have even more great events and initiatives lined up for 2023. Check out the first of them here, including the next annual MAA conference as well as an opportunity to have an exclusive visit to leading aerospace company, Moog, and meet senior leaders.

Being an MAA member is a fantastic way to get access to business opportunities, industry insights, exclusive networking events, funding and opportunities to promote your company.

Not already a member? Be part of the action when you join us here.

Membership starts from just £595 and, if you join before the end of January 2023, you’ll receive 15 months for the price of 12. It’s the perfect opportunity to get the New Year off to a great start!

Thanks to everyone who made 2022 great. We look forward to seeing you in the 2023!