Irish firm to supply composites to Spirit AeroSystems Belfast in major new deal

An aerospace manufacturer in Ireland has signed a new multi-million euro contract with Spirit AeroSystems to provide structural composite components to its Belfast plant.

ÉireComposites, a design, manufacturing and testing company based in Galway, will create 40 new jobs over the next three years as a result of the contract. The new jobs created will be a combination of engineering, quality, and high-tech manufacturing jobs.

Spirit, a Tier-1 supplier of aerostructures to major commercial aerospace and defence programmes, acquired the Belfast operation from Bombardier in 2020. Among other projects, the Belfast plant supplies the composite wings for the Airbus A220 programme.

The scope of the new ÉireComposites contract involves complex composite component manufacturing, including assembly, part trimming and non-destructive testing services for a number of key business and commercial aircraft programmes.

ÉireComposites CEO, Tomás Flanagan, commented: “The announcement today of the continuation and expansion of the relationship between ÉireComposites and Spirit AeroSystems is hugely significant not only as a sign of confidence of the work of Irish suppliers post-Brexit but the massive role our company will play in the future of air travel.

“In line with the impact the coronavirus had on the aviation sector last year, our aerospace sales were slower than in previous years. However, we expect to recover throughout this year and today’s announcement is a real show of confidence by Spirit AeroSystems in the work we undertake here in Co. Galway. It is our hope and our goal to return to the same level of revenue in 2019 this year and we plan on strong growth next year with the intention of expanding our work by 40 new positions between now and 2025 to bring our employment numbers to 100 full time employees.

“I am proud of the work we do here as we are unique to the area along the Wild Atlantic Way with a very loyal and skilled workforce and without whom today’s announcement and ÉireComposites’ bright future would not be possible.”

www.eirecomposites.com