A rich engineering heritage

This is a fantastic time to be involved in the civil aerospace sector, with a future predicted to have unprecedented growth - 57,000 new passenger aircraft required over the next 20 years, estimated at a value of US$5.3 trillion.  The UK enjoys a global market share of 17% and annual revenues of over £24bn, and our civil and military aerospace industry is the largest in Europe and second only in the world after the USA.  Within the UK, the South West of England is widely recognised as having an outstanding aerospace and advanced engineering cluster, contributing in excess of £5.5bn in revenues, and recognised in a recent University of West England Econometric Study as consistently outperforming comparative regions on productivity. Additionally, a 2014 McKinsey study identified that the South West aerospace cluster is one of seven UK business clusters, London excluded, that qualified as “fast growth and globally significant”.  I have the privilege to lead the West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF), which champions the incredible strengths of the aerospace, advanced engineering and manufacturing cluster in the South West. A frequent topic of discussion is just why is this cluster so strong, and perhaps more importantly, how does the cluster continue to grow? Whilst this might be ideal thesis material for any of the South West's outstanding universities, perhaps a brief look at the region's maritime, rail and aerospace transport heritage gives an insight into why engineering and manufacturing features in the DNA of businesses and the workforce. To name but two, there is Brunel with the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the Great Western Railway, and his ships Great Western, Great Britain and Great Eastern; and Sir George White who founded the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company in 1910 at Filton, and which morphed and merged to become the British Aerospace Company, with Concorde, built at Filton, probably being the most famous product of the company. <A manufacturing hot spot> With such a rich heritage it is unsurprising that more aerospace and engineering businesses located within the South West. Today, you can find 14 of the 15 biggest global aerospace companies located in the region to varying extents. Bristol forms a nucleus with companies such Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN providing world class capabilities in design, systems integration and advanced materials and manufacturing technologies, including additive layered manufacturing. In Somerset, AgustaWestland continues to be a world leader as a total capability provider in the vertical lift market.  In a wider aerospace and aviation context, Exeter Airport is the home of Europe's largest regional airline, Flybe. And Cornwall should not be overlooked with the exciting Aerohub development at Newquay Airport, providing opportunities in advanced engineering, aerospace skills training and aircraft testing. In Devon, Dorset and Gloucestershire, there are numerous world-class businesses, all of whom contribute greatly to the richness and diversity of the South West cluster. Lastly, and incredibly significant from the perspective of the number of skilled people employed and contribution to gross value added in the region, are the SME businesses who make the supply chain so strong in the South West. What of the future? Well everyone recognises that there can be no room for complacency. There is an unprecedented level of dialogue, engagement and collaboration taking place. Business rivals sharing strategies; Local Enterprise Partnerships bringing local government and business together to deliver real growth; ground-breaking R&D from leading universities and establishments such as the National Composites Centre – all are testament to how there is real belief and commitment in the South West to ensure the aerospace, advanced engineering and manufacturing cluster builds on its rich heritage, leverages its incredible capabilities, and creates a world-beating cluster for the future. It's indeed a fantastic time to be involved in the civil aerospace sector, and even more so in the South West! www.weaf.co.uk