Investment in the right technologies and novel supply chain thinking are essential to the future of the UK’s aerospace industry

The UK aerospace industry is built on a proud heritage of pushing boundaries and introducing new technologies that have changed our everyday lives. Today the industry employs around 340,000 people and possesses a significant share of civil aircraft production programmes. In fact, the UK currently boasts the second-largest aerospace industry globally. But does this success hide an underlying lack of investment, which will eventually stifle growth and threaten the industry’s long-term future?

Due to the long lifecycle of civil aircraft, any loss of market position is only likely to become apparent over time as existing platforms with UK content are retired and those with less enter into service. This may seem like a dim and distant prospect as a new tranche of re-engined narrowbodies enter into service but in a market where it typically takes nearly 10 years to take an aircraft design through testing to first delivery, companies must take a long-term view. Indeed Boeing is widely reported to be reviewing the launch of a brand new narrowbody aircraft to enter service in 2025. 

"By working in collaboration, the UK aerospace sector 

is still well positioned to make vital investments in advanced

technologies and skills." 

Paul Adams

So how might the UK fare competing for a place on a major new aircraft launch? Many argue that retaining a design capability is key to securing high value packages of work. This is true to an extent, but Boeing has made a deliberate move away from sharing design responsibility on the 777-X and has even bought major systems such as wings, nacelles and pylons back in-house. Airbus has suffered high-profile supplier issues on the A350-XWB and is likely to think carefully about which systems to retain in house in the future.

This leaves the UK supply chain considering the best way to compete and investment decision making will become a critical success factor. UK firms do not have the capital to invest widely across multiple technologies in the way that government-subsidised, low-cost competitors can. Firms must therefore focus on their core capabilities and use their supply chain to support in complementary areas. This will require the rejection of 'old fashioned' ways of doing things, which are based on an 'I win, you lose' mentality, in favour of deep collaborations across technologies.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the world of additive manufacturing, where a true understanding of aspects such as design, machine capability, powder metallurgy and finishing processes is required to make the most of this exciting technology. Indeed, it is likely that those who collaborate successfully across their supply chains will reap significant rewards. The UK Government has a key role to play in this area, not just through funding but also by providing the support needed through organisations such as the technology catapult centres to foster collaboration.

By working in collaboration, the UK aerospace sector is still well positioned to make vital investments in advanced technologies and skills. This must be a priority, however, to avoid losing our position of industry strength and to preserve growth opportunities for the future.

Paul Adams is head of aerospace at supply chain firm, Vendigital. He is presenting ‘Additive, Brexit and Aerospace Supply Chains’ at 11:30 on Thursday 8 June at Subcon. 

Register now for your free pass to Subcon, The Engineer Design & Innovation Show and Advanced Manufacturing Show at www.subconshow.co.uk 

Meet the speakers: In conversation with... Alan Pendry and Dr Junfeng Yang at Birmingham City University

In conversation with… Alan Pendry, Associate Professor of Advanced Systems Engineering, and Dr Junfeng Yang, Lecturer in Automotive Engineering, Birmingham City University.

Alan Pendry and Dr Junfeng Yang will be discussing how to ‘tap into new potential for lightweight components via STEAM innovation’ at Subcon on 8 June at 10:45.

Please sum up your conference session in one sentence:

Birmingham City University has teamed up with Meridian Lightweight Technologies UK to research and develop processes and systems for the production and use of magnesium alloys: we present here an overview of our 15 research threads and invite others to join our Magnesium Innovation Group.

"The environment - greenhouse gas reduction and climate change mitigation - is the biggest challenge facing the industry this year."

What practical tips will visitors pick up from your presentation?  

How magnesium can replace heavier and more carbon-intensive materials for automotive and aerospace applications. How smaller-scale designers and manufacturers can find cost-effective magnesium solutions. How Birmingham City University can help your business develop and grow.

What's the biggest opportunity facing the industry?

Building a design-driven culture to create and safeguard design and manufacturing jobs throughout the UK.

Is leaving the EU good or bad for UK manufacturing?  

Very bad in the short-to-medium term: difficult to evaluate in the long term.

Do you think the industry will suffer if leaving the EU restricts free movement of labour?

Very much in the short term: difficult to evaluate in the medium term.

Do you think the Apprentice Levy is a good thing?

Apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships are an excellent opportunity for UK companies to grow the essential skills needed by our growing manufacturing industry and to take us into the 4^th Industrial Revolution.

If you were in Government, what would you do to encourage more women and young people to work in the engineering and manufacturing industries?

Get rid of “career politicians” and replace the cabinet with engineers: 50% male and 50% female; educate school teachers as to what engineering and manufacturing in the 21^st century is; promote positive action without the perceived fear of discrimination in the appointment of women to engineering posts: Include flexible working and career progression following absence (e.g. following childbirth).

What are your thoughts on Industry 4.0?

It is a plethora of exciting opportunities and is coming, whether we want it or not: don’t let us lose out through complacency like we did with our motorcycle and steel industries!

What are you most looking forward to about Subcon 2017?

Meeting creative, forward-looking individuals who can join us on this exciting journey.

Don’t miss Alan Pendry and Dr Junfeng Yang at Subcon – they will be discussing how to ‘tap into new potential for lightweight components via STEAM innovation’ on 8 June at 10:45. You can register for a free pass at www.subconshow.co.uk

Meet the speakers: In Conversation With … Jeremy Hadall

Jeremy Hadall is Chief Technologist for Robotics and Automation, The Manufacturing Technology Centre. He will present ‘The benefits of embracing robotics and automation’ at Subcon at 1215 on Wednesday 7 June.

Please sum up your conference session in one sentence:

I guess it’s a bit of myth busting on two fronts; first about how robotics and automation are not just for big companies and second that we’re not even close to replacing every manufacturing employee with a robot.

What practical tips will visitors pick up from your presentation?

How to work out what automation is right for them and how to build a case for it.

What’s the biggest challenge facing the industry this year?

Probably dealing with uncertainty. There is so much around: Brexit, Government’s industrial strategy, etc.

And the biggest opportunity?

See above! Seeing the uncertainty as an opportunity and seeking out ways to become more productive (perhaps through automation!) is perhaps the biggest opportunity in 2017.

Is leaving the EU good or bad for UK manufacturing?

It’s far too early to tell yet, but losing access to research, skilled engineers and influence over standards could be very damaging.

Do you think the industry will suffer if leaving the EU restricts free movement of labour?

Almost certainly. We are already seeing some skilled and semi-skilled people leaving and if leaving the EU restricts free movement this can only get worse.

Do you think the Apprentice Levy is a good thing?

Again, it’s probably too early to tell its long-term benefit, but creating more skilled technicians and engineers can only be a good thing.

If you were in Government, what would you do to encourage more women and young people to work in the engineering and manufacturing industries?

I am not sure it’s purely the role of Government, it needs all of us in the engineering and manufacturing industries to showcase what a diverse and engaging career choice these industries can be. I’m not a fan of quotas or programmes to encourage people into engineering, it’s far better to enthuse more women and young people to join the profession than create (sometimes) false incentives.

What are your thoughts on Industry 4.0?

It’s a great idea that’s been around for years! But it’s only now that we have the computing power, the software tools and the automation to harness the data available to enhance manufacturing processes. But more companies need to engage and understand the technologies and upskill their workforces to benefit from it.

What are you most looking forward to about Subcon 2017?

This will be my first time at the event, so looking to take it all in and make the most of the experience.

Don't miss Jeremy's session - and 35 other first class presentations at this year's Subcon conference delivered by The Engineer and The Manufacturer. Register now for your free pass at the Subcon website.