Aerospace & Defence

Today’s market is highly competitive with aggressive competition from both traditional and emerging competitors, says Denzil Lawrence, Supplier Development Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Customers want ‘more for less’ with products that are affordable and mission-capable, have low operating costs, are environmentally progressive and offer in-service reliability and standardization, with first-time quality.

Sourcing categories across Boeing cover:

Structures: Major assemblies, Body sections, movable wing sections, doors, flight control surfaces, fuselage.

Systems: Avionics, flight systems, hydraulics, wheels and brakes, landing gear, environmental control systems, electrical systems.

Interiors: Passenger seats, Cabin systems, galley inserts, interiors, cargo systems.

Common Commodities: Machined parts, sheet metal parts, assemblies, tubing, wiring, tooling, raw materials, and standards.

Propulsion: Engines, Struts, Nacelles

Aerospace & Defence News

Defence News – Early March 2024

Rolls-Royce Submarines is creating more than 200 jobs to provide nuclear reactors for new attack submarines.  The firm said it hoped to attract engineers and specialists from around the UK to new offices in Cardiff and Glasgow. More than 100 new jobs will be based in St Mellons, Cardiff, as well as over 100 at…

Aerospace News – Early March 2024

A Cambridge-based aerospace company will receive millions to work on a net zero aviation programme. Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced investments in the UK’s life sciences and manufacturing sectors. Funding aims to speed up the transition to net zero aviation and support sectors where the UK is, or could be, world leading. Click…

Defence News – Late February 2024

Defence group, BAE Systems, reported increased sales and profits for the year to December 31, 2023, as global security tensions remain high. The group operates factories in Warton and Salmesbury, near Preston, building military aircraft, as well as a submarine building facility in Barrow, and employs around 15,000 staff in the region. Turnover for the…

Aerospace News – Late February 2024

Aeroplane manufacturer, Airbus, has boosted its orders book with deals for two international carriers. North American airline, Breeze Airways, has added a further 10 A220-300 aircraft, bringing its total firm order for the aircraft type to 90, making it the third largest customer worldwide for the A220. Meanwhile, STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan has placed a…

Defence News – Early February 2024

500 support trucks will be delivered to the British Army in 2024 to support operational activity, following a rapid procurement process. Collaboration between Defence Equipment & Support, Army Headquarters and the Field Army has helped push the boundaries of Defence procurement, acquiring all the vehicles in just 7 months. Click here to read the full…

Aerospace News – Early February 2024

Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer with key operations in the North West and South West, increased revenues and earnings in 2023 and is forecasting bigger earnings for the current financial year. The group, which employs 5,000 staff at its wing making plant in Broughton, near Chester, and around 3,000 staff at its Filton plant in…

Aerospace News – Late January 2024

 Boeing faces a “serious challenge” and uncertain outlook as it seeks to restore confidence, its boss Dave Calhoun admitted, announcing the firm’s latest financial results on Wednesday. Trust in the firm has been shaken since a panel of one of its 737 Max 9 jets broke off in mid-air. Mr Calhoun said the company’s “full…

Aerospace News – Late January 2024

Boeing faces a “serious challenge” and uncertain outlook as it seeks to restore confidence, its boss Dave Calhoun admitted, announcing the firm’s latest financial results on Wednesday. Trust in the firm has been shaken since a panel of one of its 737 Max 9 jets broke off in mid-air. Mr Calhoun said the company’s “full…

Defence News – Early January 2024

The Ajax Programme has turned a corner and is progressing towards the delivery of a new generation of armoured fighting vehicles that meets the Army’s needs, against a revised delivery schedule that sets realistic and achievable milestones.   The MOD continues to work closely with General Dynamics to deliver the 589 vehicles, of which there are…

Aerospace News – Early January 2024

Aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, has won a multibillion-pound order with Türkiye’s national carrier, Turkish Airlines. The carrier has confirmed it will expand its fleet with an order for 220 Airbus aircraft, made up of 150 best selling A321s and 70 of the world’s most modern and efficient A350 widebody aircraft, comprising 50 A350-900s, 15 A350-1000s and…

Mazak records successful 2023 including largest ever UK order

Yamazaki Mazak UK has recorded a successful year for machine sales in 2023 including its largest ever machine order. The success was driven by a strong pipeline of high-value large project wins, based around the company’s experience and competence in project management, engineering support and turnkey solutions. In addition, a particularly strong December Open House…

Aerospace News – December 2023

Aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, which employs 5,000 staff at its wing-making plant in Broughton, near Chester, is benefiting from more orders. Hong Kong’s Cathay has become the latest carrier to order the all-new A350F, following the signature of a purchase agreement for six aircraft. The A350F will join the airline’s cargo division, Cathay Cargo, and will…

Aerospace News – Late November 2023

Ethiopian flagship carrier, Ethiopian Airlines Group, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 11 additional Airbus A350-900s to be added to its existing fleet. The deal was announced at the Dubai Air Show and the latest agreement takes Ethiopian Airlines’ total order book and commitment for the A350 to 33, including four A350-1000s. Click…

Defence News – Early November 2023

With global tensions rising, defence giant, BAE Systems, has reported a £10bn uplift in orders booked since it announced its half year results in August. In a trading update today, the group, which operates factories in Warton and Salmesbury, near Preston, building military aircraft, and a submarine building facility in Barrow, said group guidance has…

Aerospace News – Early November 2023

Rolls-Royce has made a significant breakthrough in the drive towards sustainable air travel after successfully running its UltraFan® technology demonstrator to maximum power at its facility in Derby. The initial stage of the test was conducted using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Click here to read the full article GKN Aerospace and GE have deepened…

Space- Comm Expo, 6 -7th March

Where Space Does Business Space- Comm Expo gathers space, aerospace, defence, downstream and upstream industries for two days of high-level networking, discussions, education and business, focussed on the commercial future of space. Supported by key industry associations and influential bodies, Space-Comm Expo showcases the end-to-end supply chain for products, services and applications supplying and informing…

Defence News – Late October 2023

Construction has begun on a huge “frigate factory” in Glasgow which will be able to build two Royal Navy warships simultaneously under cover. The new build hall at the Govan shipyard on the river Clyde is being constructed by BAE Systems as part of a £300m investment to its facilities. Once complete it will improve…

Aerospace News – Late October 2023

A Northern Ireland aerospace firm is opening a new £7.5m testing facility in Banbridge. Thompson Aero Seating makes business class seats for airlines like Delta and Singapore Airlines. Aerospace is a highly regulated industry and parts can only be certified for airworthiness after approved testing. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67132461

Moving manufacturing from 3D printing to injection moulding

3D printing has revolutionised small-scale manufacturing. Production of everything from phone holders to furniture can be made at the touch of a button and printed in anything from minutes to hours. Whilst well suited to small-scale, low-cost manufacturing, 3D printing can become time consuming and less cost effective as production volumes increase. Plastic injection moulding…

Aerospace News – Late July 2023

US carrier, Delta Air Lines, has lodged an order for 12 extra A220-300 Airbus aircraft, bringing its total firm order for A220s to 131, comprising 45 A220-100s and 86 A220-300. Throughout the years, Delta has reordered the A220 five times and is today the largest A220 customer and operator in the world. Kristen Bojko, Delta’s…

Aerospace News – Early July 2023

Icelandair, the main Icelandic airline based in Keflavik, has placed a firm order for 13 Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The order makes Icelandair a new Airbus customer. The airline is also planning to lease four A321LRs. With its extra-long range, the A321XLR will allow Icelandair to seize new market opportunities. The aircraft will also enable the…

Aerospace News – Late June 2023

Airbus, the aircraft manufacturer which employs around 4,500 staff at its wing-making factory in Broughton, near Chester, has registered record-breaking new orders at the Paris Air Show. IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, has placed a firm order for 500 A320 family aircraft, setting the record for the biggest single purchase agreement in the…

Aerospace News – Early May 2023

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus first quarter results showed strong demand for its products but falls in both revenues and EBIT levels. The group employs around 4,000 staff at its plant in Filton, near Bristol, where they work wings and landing gear. Consolidated revenues in the quarter fell slightly to £10.3bn, compared with £10.5bn in the same…

Aerospace & Defence Sector Suppliers

3D Metrology Solutions Ltd

3D Print Bureau

3DGBIRE

ABR (Specialist Welding) Ltd

Ad-Vance Engineering

Advanced Tooling Systems UK LTD

Aerospace Cutting Tool Ltd

Alan Browne Lapping Services

Alicona UK Ltd

Alliance Tooling Ltd

Alphateq Ltd

Alubend UK

Ampco Metal Limited

Apex Metrology Ltd

Apsley Engineering Ltd

Arthur Jackson & Co Ltd

Avon-Dynamic

Blum Novotest

Boneham & Turner Ltd

Bowers Metrology

Broomfield Carbide Gauges Ltd

Burcas Ltd

Carrs Toolsteel Technologies

Central Scanning

Ceratizit UK and Ireland Ltd

CGTech Ltd

CHE Metrology

Crossen Engineering Ltd

CyTec Systems UK Ltd

Dash CAE Limited

Dudley Associates Ltd

Eclipse Magnetics

ECM Developments Ltd

ELey Metrology Limited

Elkington Brothers Ltd

Engel UK Ltd Injection Moulding Machines

Engis (UK) Ltd

Excel Precision

Expert Tooling & Automation Ltd

Fast Heat limited

Filtermist Limited

Fimark Ltd

GB Precision

GF Machining Solutions

Global Shop Solutions

Gravutex Eschmann International Ltd

Guhring Limited

Hadleigh Castings Ltd

Hartmetall UK

HEIDENHAIN

Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence

Hexagon Production Software

Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies

IBS Precision Engineering Ltd

Indysoft Europe Ltd

Innovative Measurement Technology Ltd

Investment Tooling International

Kemet International Ltd

KNOLL UK

Kyocera Hardcoating Technologies Ltd

KYOCERA SGS Precision Tools Europe Ltd

Langstone Engineering Ltd

Laser Scanning Precision Measuring

Lynar Manufacturing

Mahr UK & Mahr Federal

Manchester Metrology

Mantech Geometrics

MAPAL Limited

Mastrini Machines & Services

MeadeX Rubber Mouldings Ltd

MEC Machine Tools Limited

Metrology and Quality Services Ltd

Metrology UK

Moorland Toolmaking Company Ltd

Morson Projects

National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

ND Precision Products

Omega Plastics Group

Optimax Imaging Inspection & Measurement

ORLIN Technologies Ltd

Pentagon Plastics Group

Perfect Bore Manufacturing Ltd

Petford Group

Powdertech Surface Science

Powell Manufacturing Co (Coventry)

Project Innovations Ltd

Quickgrind Carbide Tooling

QVS Pro

R-Winter Tooling

REM Systems Ltd

Renfrew Group International

Renishaw Plc

Ringspann Power Transmission

Ringspann Remote Control Systems

Ringspann Work Holding Technology

Roemheld UK Limited

Rud Chains Ltd

Sangha Metrology

Scott Tools Limited

Sharmic Engineering Limited

Sirius Supply Chain Solutions

Spectrum Metrology Ltd

Starrag UK Limited

Surtec North East Ltd

T&G Engineering

Talbot Tool Co Ltd

Tebis (UK) Ltd

Tech-ni-Plant Ltd

Testo Industrial Services Ltd

The 3D Measurement Company Ltd

The Sempre Group Ltd

Thermofax Ltd

Third Dimension

Thomas Keating Ltd

Tinius Olsen Ltd

TLM Laser Ltd

Tokai Carbon Europe

Velo 3D

Verus Metrology

Vision Engineering Ltd

Vision TriTeQ

W.H.Tildesley

Waveney Precision Ltd

WDS Component Ltd

Wenzel UK Ltd

Whiteland Engineering

Winmore Engineering Ltd

Wogaard

WS2 Coatings Ltd

Yorkshire Precision Gauges Ltd

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