Winning ways

industrial revolution.
By definition, the objective of a cluster is to group the participants of one common sector together to increase member synergy. We realise that even within the relatively small region of Wallonia in Belgium, people still don't know each other well enough. Of course, everybody knows about the larger companies, but when it comes to SMEs or research centres, their activities and know-how are usually ignored or at the very least, underestimated.

As a ‘Pôle de Compétitivité', Skywin has two major differences compared with a traditional aerospace cluster. Firstly, it combines private companies, research centres and universities. This is a fundamental difference with the clusters we've had in the past and represents the greatest success and satisfaction we can claim since we were established in 2006.

Secondly, as a competitiveness cluster, Skywin follows an agenda set by regional Government to organise a ‘call for projects' once or twice a year. These calls enable consortia to propose investment, research or education projects and must fall within three strategic categories defined by Skywin. If they pass the internal and international jury of the Government, they eventually get funded for the described activity. The funding level is very attractive, which makes the whole procedure a more lucrative proposition for private companies looking to develop innovative projects.

Through our major member companies like SABCA, Sonaca, Techspace Aero and Thales Communications Belgium, we are engaged in all Airbus programmes. SABCA produces fuselage parts such as tail cones for the A320 family as well as the floor plan for the A380. Sonaca is well known for its leading edges and delivers products to the entire Airbus family. Techspace Aero develops and produces boosters such as low pressure compressors for the jet engine and is working in close collaboration with Snecma, GE and Pratt & Whitney.

With regard to the types of member companies and the kinds of technological capabilities they can offer aerospace OEMs, our range of capabilities is clearly demonstrated by the four major players previously mentioned. We have a list of approximately 40 subcontractors working in partnership to make them both strong and flexible. Their capabilities are varied and range from complex mechanical disciplines like alloy castings, welding, precision machining, specific surface treatments etc, as well as modelling capabilities. Wallonia has an advanced group of companies and research centres that are recognised at a worldwide level for CAE activities.

Active and attractive

Wallonia's unique selling point lies in its technological advancements in specific niche areas and includes companies that can manufacture complex products with specific processes or tools that he claims are unrivalled. Another benefit is that the engineering knowledge of the workforce is very high in this region.

In terms of responding to the challenges taking place in the industry, the very reason Skywin was created was in order to help raise Government money to fund R&D, training and investment projects. Since 2006, and through the organisation of six ‘calls for projects', we are currently funding 35 projects for a total budget of more than €130 million.

We do our utmost to boost innovation, adapt the supply chain to meet OEM requirements and integrate their cost reduction initiatives with the objective of being both active and attractive at an international level. We've collaborated with several EU clusters and are proud members of the European Aerospace Cluster Partnership.

www.skywin.be