Photo caption: Typhoon - Designed at BAE Systems Warton.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme have recently confirmed funding for the North West Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence Programme 2 (ASCE).
The £7.1m programme, delivered and designed by the North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) has secured £3.6m from the NWDA and £3.5m from the ERDF programme.
ASCE2 will build on the work of the world-class ASCE1 programme, which launched in 2006 and was the first coordinated approach to supplier development in the aerospace sector in the UK.
Over 30 of the most strategically important suppliers in the Northwest have joined the ASCE1 programme. Each company is mentored by a representative from Airbus, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce or Aircelle. Over 300 jobs have been created or safeguarded and over 2000 man days of training have been delivered.
 
Aerospace is a key priority for the Northwest, with two in every five aerospace jobs in the UK located in the region.
ASCE2 aims to secure a competitive base of world-class SMEs in the Northwest aerospace sector, by driving forward five priorities – skills provision, innovation, shared services, commodity groups and the extended enterprise. It is expected to help the Northwest aerospace supply chain compete in a global industry, which will help in winning valuable contracts with the main manufacturers.
Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, said: “The Aerospace sector in the Northwest has an annual turnover close to £7 billion and forms almost a third of the total UK Aerospace turnover making it the most significant region in the UK.
“The ASCE1 programme is taking our regional supply-chain to the next level and ASCE2 will take us to the top of the ladder, offering a world class integrated cluster capable of competing globally.”
The project will be led and managed by the NWAA and a dedicated steering group which will include the NWDA, BAE Systems, Airbus UK, Rolls Royce, and representatives from the business support sector and academia.
Martin Wright, chief executive of the NWAA, welcomed the news. He said: “This is a significant milestone for the NWAA and the regional aerospace supply chain. It will be a major part of ensuring the North West remains the lead region for aerospace in the UK and builds its ability to compete on a global scale.
“It also gives the NWAA an unprecedented position as the leading aerospace cluster organisation in Europe and beyond.”
This summer three Lancashire aerospace companies, actively involved in the ASCE1 programme, were selected by BAE Systems to play a key role in the production of the F-35 (Joint Strike Fighter) aircraft along with a fourth Manchester based company. They are:
• RLC Group, (based in Altham, Lancs)
• John Huddleston Engineering, (based in Blackpool)
• Thyssenkrupp, (based in Bamber Bridge, Preston).
All four companies now work closely with the NWAA and BAE Systems in a Supplier Association which will see the partnership work closely to drive down cost and ensure quality and delivery service levels. The contract could be worth in excess of £250 million and is a significant success for the Northwest.
Liz Meek, chair of the European Regional Development Fund’s Programme Monitoring Committee, said: “The aerospace industry is hugely important to the region and this programme ensures that it will remain so. This is about keeping us at the forefront of the skills and innovation needed to maintain our position in this global market.”

To keep updated on the range of support being offered by the NWDA go to www.nwda.co.uk/supportingbusiness or for more information on business support visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest
For more information on business support contact Business Link Northwest or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest