Exploring aerospace business opportunities in Poland

The three-day trade mission focused on the country’s blossoming “Aviation Valley” around the city of Rzeszów in south eastern Poland. The missioners included eleven UK aerospace suppliers, MAA chairman David Danger and chief executive Andrew Mair and an expert trade team from Santander.

The mission was made up of eight activities including: talks by local market experts, factory visits, 1-to-1 meetings and business networking opportunities.

The sites visited by the team were:

• Pratt & Whitney Rzeszów S.A.
• Bodycote Aerospace Defense & Energy.
• Aero Gearbox International (Rolls-Royce/Safran joint venture)
• Poeton Polska

Presentations were made by: Bank Zachodni WBK (Santander Poland), Altios Eastern Europe, Aviation Valley, British Embassy Warsaw, Deloitte, Poeton Industries and Hutchinson Logistics.

Meetings and networking included:

• Pre-arranged 1-2-1 meetings with local companies
• Networking reception for the delegation with Aviation Valley officials and members, Bank Zachodni WBK officials and customers/prospects.
• Dinner for the delegation and key local partners, hosted by Santander UK Executives.

Our delegates made positive comments after the mission:

• Very interesting trip, organisation very good, communication very good, factory visits very good.
• Fantastic trip to Poland. Visits to clients/new ventures very good. Great way to meet key personnel who would be difficult to contact otherwise. Please, more of the same!
• Very interesting and informative on the level of industry and investment in Poland.
• Well organised mission resulting in some potentially very valuable contacts. Our hosts were very generous and welcoming.
• Well organised trade mission, factory visits fascinating and educating. A few good leads generated from the visit.
• The world-class facilities in Aviation Valley are very impressive – there are many opportunities for MAA members.
• Thank you for organising this trade mission to Aviation Valley. We have been a supplier to Polish aerospace companies for over 20 years, yet this week I have met director-level executives at a wide range of aerospace companies who we would not usually reach.
• Well organised trade mission with a number of good companies attending from both UK and Polish sides.
• Together with the MAA we reach key executives of the Polish aerospace companies who we wouldn’t normally meet.

According to the MAA’s Andrew Mair,

“Working closely with Santander and Aviation Valley our delegation was able to see first hand -- and meet the key people behind -- the tremendous investments currently being made in the aerospace industry in south eastern Poland to make the region a rapidly growing global centre of excellence for engine gearboxes, auxiliary power units (APUs) and much else besides.”

MAA chairman David Danger said:

"We judge the first fruits of the MAA's innovative collaboration with Santander to have been a great success. We look forward to exploring future opportunities with the Santander team."

The MAA thanks Santander’s Barrie Kilfeather and Magda Crosa in particular for their expert joint leadership of the mission.

The Midlands Aerospace Alliance and Aviation Valley are both members of the European Aerospace Cluster Partnership, the umbrella body which helps us all work together with trust and effectively.

More about Aviation Valley

The Aviation Valley Association was started in 2003, as a non-profit organization, as a means to furthering the rapid development and growth of the aerospace industry in south-eastern Poland. This historic decision was conceived by a group of leading aeronautic producers, suppliers and businessmen. Significant funding for the Association has been provided by Pratt & Whitney, a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. The objectives of the Aviation Valley Association:

• The organization and development of a low cost supply chain.
• The creation of favourable conditions in order to enhance the development of aerospace industry enterprises in this region.
• The further development of aerospace research, aptitude and skill.
• The cooperation with universities of technology, which would promote new ideas and scientific research within the aerospace industry.
• The promotion of the Polish aerospace industry.
• The protection of enterprise and businesses in the aerospace industry.
• The influence on the Polish government’s economic policy towards the aerospace industry and its domain.

The Aviation Valley Association currently represents 158 companies within the region, with several others in the process of applying for membership.

The long-term objective of the Aviation Valley Association is to transform south-eastern Poland into one of Europe’s leading aerospace regions, which would be able to provide a diverse cross section of products and services for the most demanding clients.