Several members of the UK Civil Aerospace Cluster visited Northern Ireland towards the end of last month.

Hosted by Invest Northern Ireland, they were briefed about the capabilities of the local aerospace sector, as well as the businesses that benefit from being involved in the SC21 Supply Chain excellence programme.

The Cluster visit was led by Airbus (www.airbus.com), alongside Bombardier Aerospace (www.bombardier.com), Cobham (www.cobham.com), Eaton (www.eaton.com), GE Aviation (www.geaviation.com), GKN (www.gkn.com) and Meggitt (www.meggitt.com).

Jeremy Fitch, Invest NI’s director of business solutions, said: “This visit programme forms part of our continuing efforts to build awareness of the expertise available within the local aerospace supply base. Our aim is to help our local firms develop relationships and ultimately leverage new business with UK Tier One companies.

“Northern Ireland’s Partnering for Growth Strategy continues to be the focus of those working in the industry. Invest NI remains committed to ensuring that Northern Ireland’s aerospace sector has a supply chain that can grow its capabilities in the high-technology high-value areas where the industry needs to compete.”

Philip McBride, Aerospace Defence Security chairman in Northern Ireland, said: “On behalf of the industry sector, we very much welcomed the UK Civil Aerospace Cluster visit to Northern Ireland.

“We have a very strong aerospace supply base, and we are very keen to develop these important relationships in a way that is beneficial to the sector and to industry in Northern Ireland. The aerospace industry contributes £29 billion per year to the UK economy; as a region, we can play an important role in helping to further grow this vital sector.”