Supply Chains Must Be Industrial Strategy Priority
Today’s industrial strategy proposals are a welcome commitment from the Government to helping industry weather Brexit headwinds – but immediate support for UK supply chains should be a priority, ADS says.
Industrial strategy has made a positive contribution to UK aerospace. Since the creation of the Aerospace Growth Partnership, joint public and private investment through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) has helped the sector boost productivity by 19 per cent since 2010.
However, to maximise the benefits of company investments in innovation, R&D and competitiveness, Government could have made supply chain productivity across industries a higher priority.
Civil aircraft production rates are set to rise 40 per cent by 2020, meaning small and medium sized suppliers must continue to improve efficiency and use of the latest industrial technology for UK manufacturing to fully realise the benefits of this growth opportunity.
ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said:
“Aerospace has been a trailblazer for industrial strategy in the UK and renewed commitment from the Government is welcome as we look to overcome the challenges posed by Brexit.
“Partnership between industry and Government has delivered real results in our sectors and it is important that this approach is embedded across our economy.
“Our sectors invest heavily in new technology and aerospace investment in R&D has risen 17 per cent to £1.4bn this year.
“To maximise the potential of this business investment we need a strong, globally competitive UK supply chain, and it is disappointing that today’s White Paper did not offer greater help and support for industrial productivity at all levels of the economy.”