The Isle Of Wight At The Heart Of National Composites Network

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Developing composites design and manufacturing technology is the aim of a new Advanced Composites Facility (ACF) at the GKN Aerospace operation on the Isle of Wight.

With significant funds from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), together with GKN’s own investment, the Isle of Wight ACF is at the centre of the new National Composites Network which was official launched by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt on 15^th July.
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Enterprise Hub Launch To Nurture New Talent In South Eastern Aerospace And Defence Sectors

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This year’s Farnborough International will mark the occasion of the launch of the Farnborough Enterprise Hub, the first in the UK to focus on the aerospace and defence sector. Its key aim will be to build upon the South East’s long-standing reputation for technology and to create new business opportunities for a region which relies heavily on the aerospace and defence sector for its economic well-being.

Farnborough Enterprise Hub will take off on Monday 19th July, when it will be launched officially by Hub champion Sir Donald Spiers and South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) Chairman James Brathwaite. It is particularly appropriate that Farnborough International has been chosen for the launch, an event not only centred on the home of aerospace but also one in which the smallest to the largest of companies will be participating, fitting perfectly with the Hub’s central philosophy.

Farnborough Enterprise Hub is the latest in a network of 20 business incubators across the region, a key component of SEEDA’s strategy to provide support for local entrepreneurs and increase the survival rate of young companies. The Hub will have a particular responsibility for facilitating technology transfer from the region’s research and development base and universities to stimulate innovation. By offering high-growth knowledge based companies greater access to this knowledge, and by assisting them with investment and funding, flexible workspace solutions, mentoring and mutual support, the Hub will provide rapid incubation and growth acceleration for many such companies in the South East.

Farnborough Enterprise Hub is a new initiative being delivered by SEEDA in partnership with the Defence Diversification Agency (DDA), QinetiQ, Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC), Hampshire Economic Partnership, Rushmoor Borough Council, the University of Surrey and other public and private sector organisations. Based in Cody Technology Park, the Hub will house a 1500 sq.ft ‘hatchery’ for new businesses with plans for a larger incubation centre.

Sir Donald Spiers comments: “The Farnborough Enterprise Hub aims to be the focus for bringing aerospace related business into the South East of England. This new venture has developed from key players who are convinced that there are great opportunities for British business in the defence and aerospace sector, and SEEDA has been particularly supportive.

“Britain has the opportunity to be a leader in providing technology solutions for customers around the world who need high quality work from specialised firms. We expect there to be considerable demand from firms in the USA for the solutions that our companies will be able to provide. So much of the world’s defence and aerospace knowledge is still only available in England.”

The South East in particular has a strong economic reliance on the aerospace and defence industry, with over 1,000 related companies based in the region, many of them small to medium enterprises (SMEs), employing around 40,000 people and generating an annual turnover of £7bn.

The official launch of Farnborough Enterprise Hub will take place at 12pm on Monday 19th July at Farnborough International 2004 on the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC)/SEEDA stand E12, UK Village, Hall 4.
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South East Supremecy To Be Highlighted At Farnborough International

The immense capabilities of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) based in the South East and operating in the aerospace and defence sector will be profiled at this year’s Farnborough International 2004. Companies, universities and SME membership organisations will be exhibiting as part of the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) stand in the UK Pavillion. The stand is supported by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and further details of events and exhibitors can be found by visiting www.seedafac.co.uk.

The South East England Stand at Farnborough International will provide participating companies with a unique opportunity to promote their products and services to an international audience and will reinforce the South East’s reputation as home to one of Europe’s leading aerospace and defence industries. In fact, there are over 1,000 aerospace and defence related businesses based in the region, including Europe’s largest science and technology organisation, QinetiQ, and world leading aerospace companies such as BAe Systems, GKN Westland, Thales and the Smiths Group.

Support will also be on hand from UK Trade & Investment, which will be running events on the stand to provide advice and services to SMEs on a variety of topics such as, cost effective methods of presenting products and services directly to key decision makers, cost effective methods on how to present research and development directly to key decision makers and as well as offering  a number of networking opportunities, some of which will be with companies from overseas looking to explore the UK market.

Exhibitors on the South East England Stand, located in the UK Pavillion, Hall 4 Stand E12, will include:

       
Research into the aerospace and defence related industry in the South East has revealed that this sector is responsible for an annual turnover in excess of £7 billion and employs over 44, 000 people directly.

This data has been prepared for the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) in preparation for its attendance, with support from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) at the bi-annual Farnborough International 2004.  These two organisations are profiling the immense capabilities of businesses, large and small to medium sized enterprises on their stand in the UK Pavilion, Hall 4 Stand 12, adjacent to the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) stand.  The stand at the trade show, taking place on 19 – 25^th July 2004, will give 16 SMEs a heightened profile at this international event as part of the South East England stand.

Over 1,000 aerospace and defence related companies are based in the region, supporting the South East‘s reputation as a national leader UK’s aerospace and defence industry.  The wide variety of businesses located in the region include Europe’s largest science and technology organisation, QinetiQ, and world leading aerospace companies such as BAe Systems, GKN Westland, Thales and the Smiths Group.

In addition, a number of international companies use the South East as their UK HQ base, such as Boeing, Microturbo and Canada’s CAE, a provider of simulation and control technologies and the US based conglomerate Honeywell.

The research has also highlighted the diverse number of universities and technical colleges offering courses specialising in the field of aerodynamics and conducting aerospace related research and teaching, including the University of Oxford, Southampton University, Surrey University, Cranfield University and Northbrook College.

These offer excellent opportunities for research collaboration between industry and universities and keep the industry supplied with a highly qualified and skilled graduate workforce.  In 2001, graduates from the regions 25 universities and high education institutes included 4,250 people with engineering degrees, 2,800 people graduated in computer science and 2,600 people graduated in physical science.

The region also boasts facilities for home grown and international businesses including:

• a number of established science parks and innovation centres;

• industry support groups such as the FAC;

• mature ICT and electronics industries;

• easy access to the UK’s two largest international airports (Heathrow and Gatwick).

As an established sector, it is clear that the defence and aerospace industry has positive impact on the region’s economy and its international reputation.
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For further information, please contact Francesca Fogell, SEEDA Marketing & PR Manager, Business & International on: 07789 926735 or 01483 484 275, email francescafogell@seeda.co.uk or visit http://www.seeda.co.uk.

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Notes to Editors

South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)

SEEDA is the Government funded agency responsible for the economic and social development of the South East of England - the driving force of the UK's economy. Our aim is to create a prosperous, dynamic and inspirational region by helping businesses compete more effectively, training a highly skilled workforce, supporting and enabling our communities while safeguarding our natural resources and cherishing our rich cultural heritage.

Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) – representing aerospace and defence in the South East

FAC provides a focus for over 700 aerospace related companies located in southern England. The Consortium enables its members to become more competitive through improved marketing, sharing of best practice, access to current research and collective action.

UK Trade and Investement

FAC provides a focus for over 700 aerospace related companies located in southern England. The Consortium enables its members to become more competitive through improved marketing, sharing of best practice, access to current research and collective action.
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In the 1990’s Sir Donald Spiers was Controller of Aircraft in the MOD, responsible for the procurement of all aerospace material for the UK armed forces. He is now a non-executive director of Messier-Dowt International, European Helicopter Industries, General Dynamics UK and TAG Aviation (UK). He was also appointed Chairman of Farnborough Aerospace Consortium in 2003.
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Both Sir Donald Spiers and SEEDA Chairman James Brathwaite will  be available for comment at the event; alternatively interviews can be arranged prior to Farnborough International 2004.
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For further press information or to arrange an advance interview, please contact Debbie Beavis or Simon Jarman at TC Communications on 01344 622280 or by e-mail at debbieb@tc-comms.co.uk.
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SEEDA is the Government funded agency responsible for the economic and social development of the South East of England – the driving force of the UK’s economy. Its aim is to create a prosperous, dynamic and inspirational region by helping businesses compete more effectively, training a highly skilled workforce, supporting and enabling our communities while safeguarding our natural resources and cherishing our rich heritage. For further press information on SEEDA, contact Francesca Fogell on 01483 500742 or by e-mail at francescafogell@seeda.co.uk.

Issued on behalf of SEEDA and FAC by TC Communications.
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