Isle of Man space and manufacturing boost

The Isle of Man’s manufacturing and space sectors have received a significant boost with the establishment of a regional office for ADS (the trade organisation advancing the UK Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space industries). The office will be based within the Island’s Department of Economic Development.

The announcement was made at the Farnborough International Airshow, where the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster (IOMAC) exhibited as part of the UK’s North West Aerospace Alliance. The Isle of Man ADS office will be managed by the Department’s Business Development Manager for Manufacturing and Space, Adrian Moore, with support from IOMAC, the Department’s internal marketing team and Space Commerce consultants, Mansat.

Mr Moore said: “I am delighted that ADS has established a regional office in the Isle of Man. This represents a big step forward for the promotion of the island’s flourishing manufacturing and space sectors. Our strategy for aerospace, which covers the next five years, is underpinned by a heritage in aerospace manufacture that goes back over 60 years. Aerospace now forms a significant part of the Isle of Man’s diverse economy, with employment growth of 26% in the last five years and GDP contribution up 50% in that period.”

Graham Chisnall, ADS deputy chief executive, said: “The UK’s thriving space sector is swiftly stepping out of the shadow of its older and successful brothers aerospace and defence, and rightly establishing itself as a key contender in the global market. The rapid growth of the space sector in the Isle of Man shows that the UK’s ambition to double our current 5% global share over the next 10 years is a real and tangible target.”