Member Testimonials
‘Precision Parts Engineering Ltd is a Small, Medium Enterprise (SME) and to achieve any success within the Aerospace Industry, particularly in the North West, it needed an organisation that would act for it in the Aerospace sector. In 1996 the Consortium of Lancashire Aerospace (NWAA) was formed and SMEs, such as Precision Parts Engineering, were given a forum by which they could meet with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and discuss what was needed to sustain the economy of the North West against competition from the Global Market. It also provided a platform by which the OEMs could state what was required of suppliers and to set standards for the SMEs in their pursuit of accreditations.
Since then, the NWAA has made tremendous improvements in its ability to promote the region and with funding from the North West Development Agency (NWDA), it has been responsible for initiatives such as the Supply Chain Excellence Programme and together with the Mentoring Scheme has strengthened the bond between the SMEs and the OEMs. This has enabled SMEs to act in a more collaborative nature with the OEMs and Ist and 2nd Tier suppliers and gives companies the ability to plan more effectively.
Precision Parts Engineering is aware of the growth potential in both military and commercial aircraft and is also equally aware that only through membership of the NWAA can it continue to be part of this growth…’
James Dunn, Sales & Marketing Manager – Precision Parts Engineering
‘In all of the time we have been involved with the NWAA we have never failed to be impressed by their intrinsic capability and the honest, friendly, professional support they readily provide.
As a consultancy, Briarcroft must always be at the cutting edge of what’s happening; the NWAA adds that focus to our business. Innovative leading-edge processes such as the NWAA Supply Chain Excellence Programme, delivering unprecedented levels of synergy and cooperation amongst world-leading aerospace primes whilst encouraging, enhancing and promoting the North West Aerospace Supply-Chain towards measurable world-class levels of performance, is just one example.
We look forward to many more years of being a part of a truly “can do” organisation helping to shape the Aerospace, Engineering and Manufacturing industry in the North West.
John Gregson, Senior Partner – Briarcroft Asociates
‘During the last four years I have seen the Northwest Aerospace Alliance develop into not just an organisation with a strategic vision, but also one which has been able to corral the resources required to deliver the necessary tangible business improvements throughout the different tiers of the supply chain.
When I visit other regions in the UK I am consistently asked about the supply chain programmes the NWAA is rolling out to its membership. It is always good to see a regional organisation having an impact far beyond the boundaries of the Northwest.
Well done NWAA for leading the way and helping us to be part of tommorow's supply chain.’
Mark Parker, Director – UK Supply Chain Associates
‘The NWAA has helped shape the Aerogistics’ strategy to meet current and future requirements of the global aerospace industry’
Tom Dawes, Managing Director – Aerogistics Holdings Ltd
‘We decided that our newly formed company would join the NWAA following a short meeting on a very impressive NWAA stand at the Paris Airshow in 2005.
Subsequently we have exhibited with the NWAA at Farnborough in 2006 and will be in Paris this year. We have found the support given as an exhibitor has been excellent and very much in tune with our business needs.
Of particular benefit to our growing business has been the ability through contacts with NWAA staff to understand and access the support which is available in the Northwest. This has helped tremendously in pushing forward our business strategy to develop overseas partnerships with businesses similar to ours.
We have found the NWAA to be professional and friendly at every level in all our dealings and would recommend it without reservation to anyone in the aerospace sector.’
Paul Stone, Business Development – Trac Precision Machining Ltd
‘North West Aerospace Alliance has played a central role in the development of business opportunities due to the region’s strong manufacturing reputation within the Aerospace and Defence sectors.
Marketing is a cornerstone of a successful business and by exhibiting with the NWAA as we have on many occasions; it enables MB Aerospace to network globally from a business centre base at a reasonable cost with professional support.
As part of our growth action plan we will be exhibiting with NWAA at the Paris Air Show in June of this year and with most of the creases ironed out already we look forward to continuing our network for growth on a global platform.’
Lyle Wilson, Business Development Manager – MB Aerospace Limited
‘The NWAA approach provokes debate through focused workshops that enable members to evaluate opportunities and threats facing their businesses.’
Tom Dawes, Managing Director – Aerogistics Holdings Ltd
‘After attending the first NWAA workshop around 2 years ago I have been compelled to attend them all. The topics and debate have provoked many questions about how collectively and individually we can improve all aspects of regional business performance to drive forward for a truly sustainable business in the global market. The sessions have delivered an excellent business improvement opportunity called Supply Chain Excellence of which we are one of the first five companies to be selected to join. I think a key NWAA differentiator is its focus on delivering change rather than merely talking about it.’
Anthony Hammond, Managing Director – Hyde Aero Products
‘The NWAA have been great supporters of PDS. We made a decision to work closely with the NWAA following a conversation between John Getty, Chairman and Martin Wright a couple of years ago. Heeding his sound advice about where the industry was going, we quickly realised that to stand still was the wrong decision and that we needed to invest in both 5 Axis sophisticated equipment and modern management thinking and training to bring our team up to the standards required of the new generation of suppliers to the Aerospace industry.
At a time when many engineering companies are having difficulties, we are pleased that our efforts are paying off and we have been added to several major first tier supply chains.
We are also delighted to be working with the NWAA and have enthusiastically embarked on mentoring with BAe to aid us become truly "World Class".
Our company aims to more than double in size over the next two years by further investment, continuous improvement, and advancement of our team of highly skilled and pioneering engineers. With the NWAA at our side we have a recipe for success!’
Annette Getty, Operations Director - PDS(CNC) Engineering Ltd
‘Competition is global with no room for complacency. Since November 2004, BAE Systems (together with other 'Primes') has been working closely with NWAA in support of NWAA's pragmatic Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence (ASCE) programme geared at shaping high performance suppliers for the future. The 2005 Defence Industrial Strategy sets out the challenges facing UK's aerospace and defence industry, including the need to sustain key through-life capabilities and transform the air sector supply chain to deliver cost-effective capability to the front line. BAE Systems will continue to work alongside NWAA to help develop a supply chain which can meet the DIS challenges.’
Chris Holt, Strategic Planning Manager, Integrated Operations Procurement – BAE SYSTEMS
‘We consider our membership of the North West Aerospace Alliance an important component in our overall business strategy, as we continue to reinforce our position as world leaders in the design and manufacture of special composites parts for aircraft.
In working with major aircraft manufacturers as part of the drive to utilise composites to improve aircraft performance, we are continuing our region’s success in the development and application of innovative aerospace technologies. As inaugural members of the NWAA, we shall continue to promote the wealth of aerospace experience and expertise in our area, both to develop new technologies and to support many of our traditional skills.’
Terry Unsworth, Sales Manager, Brookhouse Composites Ltd
‘The NWAA facilitates the ability of North West aerospace suppliers to take their products to the wider global market that may otherwise be outside their resources. Participation in both inward and outward trade missions has provided Senior Aerospace Bird Bellows the opportunity to make contact with new customers and UK Government departments, plus valuable networking with other NWAA member companies.’
David Kershaw, Sales Director - Senior Aerospace Bird Bellows
‘Being a small family run CNC Machining company, the NWAA have introduced WPC to larger companies and made our company more established in the aerospace industry. The workshops have been informative and useful, as we are kept up to date with changes and relevant news within the aerospace industry and can network easily with other companies. The website is regularly updated and enables easy booking online for future events and provides feedback from past events..’
Sarah Whitwam, Director - WPC Ltd
