Creating opportunities for businesses to grow in aerospace and space

The Midlands Aerospace Alliance is creating opportunities for businesses to enter aerospace and space as well as diversify and grow within these sectors through the Supply Chain Transition Programme, which will be highlighted during Advanced Engineering 2024. 

The aerospace industry in the Midlands offers great growth potential for businesses in the region. It is home to 20% of UK aerospace sites, generates £5.3bn in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the economy and sustains over 100,000 jobs*.

At Advanced Engineering – which takes place from 30th to 31st October – attendees will be able to find out about how they could take advantage of the Supply Chain Transition Programme - delivered by the MAA in partnership with Business Growth West Midlands.

The programme is currently supporting companies in the West Midlands with exploring opportunities in aerospace and space, identifying which they are best placed to pursue, and planning how to align their business strategies and operations with the specialist requirements of these markets. They will receive expert support from the MAA’s team of technology managers throughout.

Three hours of free consultancy is available for eligible companies to help with a variety of requirements including business development, diversification, quality systems, environmental sustainability, and technology roadmapping to explore the commercialisation of products.

On 31st October in the Aerospace & Space Forum, you can hear about the expert support that is available through the Supply Chain Transition Programme as part of the MAA technology project showcase which runs from 9.30am to 11.00am.

The showcase also features presentations from five innovative Midlands companies involved in a recent programme delivered by the team which has helped them pivot into the space industry, delivered in partnership with UK Space Agency. They will demonstrate the results that can be achieved by transforming a range of products – from battery technologies to composite structures – to enter a new industry and grow their businesses. 

The MAA team will also be available throughout Advanced Engineering on stand L190. The team can provide more information about the Supply Chain Transition Programme as well as other technology projects the MAA is currently delivering to support businesses around sustainability, advanced air mobility, space, and more.

In addition, you can learn about how the MAA works to represent one of the largest aerospace clusters in the world, how membership could benefit your company, and opportunities to grow your profile in the industry.

* Source: The Aerospace in the Midlands report published in March 2024, co-authored by the Midlands Engine Observatory (MEO) and Midlands Aerospace Alliance.