Aerospace industry celebrates 100th Charter signatory
A joint Government-industry initiative to strengthen relationships between major aerospace manufacturers and their UK suppliers is celebrating its 100th signatory.
Oxley Group, an LED lighting and electronic component manufacturer based in Cumbria, is the latest to join companies from across the UK aerospace industry in signing the Supply Chain Competitiveness Charter.
Created by the Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP) and launched less than two years ago, the charter aims to boost productivity and competitiveness in the UK supply chain. The other signatories include Primes, Tier One suppliers and a broad range of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across the country.
The 100th signatory of the Supply Chain Competitiveness Charter is presented at the AGP Conference at the Farnborough International Airshow.
Aerospace Growth Partnership Chairman Colin Smith said:
“Today’s conference comes at a challenging, but exciting time for the UK aerospace industry. There are great opportunities in this global market and we are well placed to benefit as demand for aviation continues to grow.
“We have already seen a fantastic start this week to the best airshow in the world, after the Prime Minister unveiled £343 for innovative R&D projects, and announced her support for an Aerospace Sector Deal.
“The Supply Chain Competitiveness Charter is a great example of the success of our aerospace industrial strategy and I congratulate all involved on reaching 100 signatories.”
ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said:
“The commitment shown by the 100 signatories of the aerospace industry’s supply chain charter is vital to improving our productivity and competitiveness.
“The Aerospace Growth Partnership has transformed and strengthened the close relationship between government and industry in the UK, and is helping to make sure this sector makes a growing contribution to our national prosperity.
“This week at Farnborough International Airshow we have seen new commitments by government and industry to support productivity improvements and the development of new aerospace innovation here in the UK.
“These will form an important part of the ambitious Aerospace Sector Deal the industry needs to continue to build on the AGP’s success.”
Oxley Group Chief Executive Martin Blakstad said:
“Oxley is delighted to sign the UK Supply Chain Competitiveness Charter.
“As an SME operating in a highly competitive global market, it is essential that we enhance productivity and equip our team with the necessary skills to ensure we consistently deliver on quality, cost and timeliness of production in order to satisfy our customer demand.”
Oxley is a participant in the Sharing in Growth programme, a programme backed by the AGP that provides tailored training and development to supply chain companies, targeted at achieving world class standards of performance.
The company aims to double turnover after five years and treble turnover after ten years of working with Sharing in Growth’s business transformation experts. This growth will also see the creation of a number of new jobs based at their Priory Park site in Cumbria.
The AGP conference on Tuesday 17 July in Hall One at Farnborough International Airshow includes keynote speakers CBI Director-General Carolyn Fairbairn, Airbus Commercial Chief Executive Guillaume Faury and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Chief Executive Sir Mark Walport.