Two similar clusters: entrepreneurial manufacturers, regional impacts of technology trends, on agenda,
We were honoured to welcome Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of the State of Michigan, to the Midlands Aerospace Alliance for a roundtable meeting to discuss the economic role of aerospace in our two regions and opportunities to build new ties between our two significant industry clusters.
Governor Whitmer shared how Michigan is growing its already-strong aerospace industry by investing in its economic foundations and encouraging international collaboration around investment and trade though the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The MAA team shared their perspectives on key trends in global aerospace their impact on the Midlands, and related opportunities and challenges. Discussion focused on the vital role played by entrepreneurial small manufacturers, led by Anne Ford of PGM Reball, opportunities in Advanced Air Mobility, led by MEDC's Quentin Messer, Jr. and big picture technology trends, led by the MAA's Chris Weir, as well as on growing macro-economic uncertainties triggered by the prospect of trade tariffs.
The MAA is linked to peer aerospace clusters through the 45-member European Aerospace Cluster Partnership (EACP) with its regular "Global Aerospace Cluster" meetings; we recommended the latter to the Michigan team.
Not only are the State of Michigan and the Midlands similar in terms of population size, their aerospace industries are about the same size too, each with around 300 AS9100 aerospace-qualified manufacturing sites. Linked to their parallel histories as centres of automotive industry excellence, each region also specialises in similar aerospace technologies: aircraft propulsion, control systems and precision manufacturing (for Michigan, click here). That looks like a sound basis for future cooperation!
Andrew Mair and Vlatko Tomic-Bobas of MEDC agreed to follow up when both attend future global aerospace events.
The visit was kindly facilitated by His Majesty’s Consul General Richard Hyde and his Chicago team and MEDC's Katelyn Wilcox Surmann: thanks, both!
