The Heart of the South West LEP to champion strengths of region’s powerhouse aerospace sector at international airshow
PRESS RELEASE
4th July 2014
From major players to supply chain companies, the South West’s aerospace cluster is the largest in Europe.
The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is teaming up with neighbouring inward investment organisations to bang the drum for the South West at the forthcoming Farnborough International Airshow.
The LEP will be joined by inward investment agency Invest Bristol & Bath and the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership to champion the South West in front of a global audience. They will be supporting the West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF), a sponsor of the show - WEAF is a membership trade association that promotes and supports the interests of the aerospace and defence industry in the South West of England.
The four partner organisations will be hosting a dedicated space at the event, designed to showcase the area and encourage new investment into the region – they will each be joined by aerospace and advanced engineering companies from the area, who will exhibit their products and services.
Representing the Heart of the South West area will be North Devon based Barum & Dewar, Wincanton based Flexible Software Solutions, Plymouth based Hymec and Taunton based Vapormatt.
Of the 15 international giants of aerospace, 14 have bases in the South West of England, while the region is also home to a strong network of world-class supply chain companies.
Steve Hindley, Chair of the Heart of the South West LEP said: “The Heart of the South West area hosts industry leaders such as Agusta Westland, Babcock International and the Barden Corporation, and is supported by a strong and growing network of aerospace and advanced engineering companies.
“Together, the aerospace and advanced engineering industries in the Heart of the South West employ more than 23,000 people and contribute over £1 billion to the economy.
“In partnership with our Inward Investment neighbours, we will fly the flag for the South West, attracting more companies from this valuable sector, and supporting their continued growth and development. We offer excellent logistics and supply chain networks, world leading innovative research and development services and also provide an outstanding quality of life set in a beautiful location”.
The 49th Farnborough International Airshow, taking place from July 14 to 20, is one of the world’s largest exhibitions and air displays. It offers companies, small, medium or large, an opportunity to showcase products and capabilities to an international audience, with networking events and conferences organised across the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors.
The UK has the world’s largest aerospace industry outside of the United States.
Notes to Editors
For more information regarding this press release contact: Emma Parker Reynolds at Coast on 07944 360631 or the Coast main office on 01579 352600.
Heart of the South West
The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been formed under the leadership of the private sector supported by the local authorities from Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay and the area’s District Councils. It is one of 39 partnerships created since the Government’s Local Growth White Paper published in October 2010. More information about the work of the LEP is available from the website www.heartofswlep.co.uk.
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