Aerospace supply chain opportunities highlighted at airport event

NDI, supported by Tees Valley Business Compass, attracted more than 100 businesses to Durham Tees Valley Airport to discover more about supply chain opportunities available in the Aerospace sector.

Senior figures from Airbus, Marshall Aerospace & Defence, Raytheon, GE Aviation and Tees Valley Unlimited addressed delegates who travelled from as far afield as Portsmouth.

Subjects covered included understanding the procurement process of Prime contractors and their associated supply chain, learning where a business fits in to the supply chain and how it should be positioned and what a higher tier company looks for when appointing a new SME subcontractor.

Paul Booth, Chair of Tees Valley Unlimited and member of the Combined Authority, said:“This was a significant and successful event for businesses wishing to engage with companies in the aerospace sector.

“It also introduced Tees Valley to businesses from across the country and positioned the region as leading the way in driving expansion and job creation opportunities.”

Andy Collier, NDI Director, said: “NDI is delighted to once again work with Tees Valley Business Compass and our members in helping to highlight the opportunities which exist within the aerospace sector. At NDI our aim is to link SMEs to Prime businesses through the free flow of business intelligence and opportunity. This works particularly well in the Tees Valley region which is home to a wealth of engineering talent which is capable of contributing great value to major supply chain solution.”

Steve Gill, Durham Tees Valley Airport Managing Director, added: “We were delighted to host this successful event given that establishing the airport as a major centre for aviation and aerospace company is a central element in the Master Plan for the airport.

“We already have a number of aviation-related companies operating from here and this was a great opportunity for us to promote the potential for the airport to become a centre of excellence for this important business sector.”

NDI is a leading supply chain sourcing and development service representing the interests of businesses in the defence, aerospace, space and security sectors. We deliver real business opportunities and value added services to our members, promoting their capabilities nationally and internationally.

The Tees Valley Business Compass, the Growth Hub for Tees Valley Combined Authority, helps ambitious businesses realise their growth potential by offering access to a range of practical services, from local business information, assessing growth options through to unlocking finance and funding streams.