01174 621101
Michael Fallon the Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, today at the Paris Airshow, announced the launch of a new funding stream dedicated the aerospace sector.
ADS in partnership with WEAF, NWAA, MAA and FAC has successfully bid and won funding for THE NATIONAL AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY EXPLOITATION PROGRAMME (NATEP)
As the industry government partnership responsible for the new Aerospace Industrial Strategy ‘Lifting Off’, the Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP) recognises that the larger companies acting alone will not be able to make the technology advances required to sustain the UK’s market position in global aerospace markets.
To remain competitive, many aerospace suppliers need to move up the value chain and innovate and look at new technologies at a rate greater than our competitors. A step change towards an ‘R&D supply chain’ is required – but the market is not creating this with sufficient urgency.
By developing a supply chain with a high rate of innovation, rich in new technologies, the AGP vision is for the UK to be better able to offer the right products and services, at the right time and ahead of competition. We can then ensure that global aerospace market opportunities are exploited to the maximum extent, with high value manufacturing work retained in the UK.
This is where the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) will come in, to help supply chain companies develop 100 innovative technologies and so increase their ability to win new business from higher tier companies anywhere in the world. WEAF will use its experience gained over the many years it has been supporting the sector to ensure South West companies benefit from the funding available.
The government’s Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative provides the opportunity to take this strategy forward.
WEAF will be running a series of awareness events in early autumn, which will help you, decide whether you will be able to benefit from this fund and we will explain how we can help you be successful with your application.
To get one-step ahead of the rest contact Barry Warburton barry@weaf.co.uk on his return from the Paris Airshow, he will be more than happy to explain in detail how the project and grants will work.