Aerospace firms' funding thrust; INVESTMENT: Cash to help regional supply chain vie for global contracts.Byline: Jenny Waddington Wad·ding·ton , Mount A peak, 3,996.7 m (13,104 ft) high, in southwest British Columbia, Canada. It is the highest elevation in the Coast Mountains. A REGIONAL programme aimed at encouraging the development and exploitation of new technologies by companies in the Midlands aerospace supply chain is to receive a pounds 1.5 million boost. The Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme was launched in 2006 by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands West Midlands, former metropolitan county, central England. Created in the 1974 local government reorganization, the county embraced the Birmingham conurbation and comprised seven metropolitan districts: Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Birmingham, Solihull, in partnership with the Midlands Aerospace Alliance and has successfully supported 19 companies and three universities across five projects. The new pounds 1.5 million thrust behind the ATEP will help to support more companies, particularly SMEs, developing new technologies through collaborative working in order to address emerging market requirements for future aircraft. Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund are funding the new stage in the ATEP's development. Jim Coyle, Advantage West Midlands aerospace cluster manager A Cluster manager is a small service on each node of the cluster and it does active and desactive available services. Cluster Manager should create a specific list of node auth, manage and repliace it to each node. , said: "Technological innovation is paramount for the region to maintain and build on its strengths in aerospace and is a fundamental part of the Aerospace Cluster plan 2008-11. "As such we are extremely pleased to announce this new investment in the ATEP. We already have a strong base upon which to build, but it is essential Advantage West Midlands and the Midlands Aerospace Alliance continue to support and invest in the companies who make up the supply chain. "Considerable growth is forecast in the aerospace industry over the next 20 years, in spite of in opposition to all efforts of; in defiance or contempt of; notwithstanding. See also: Spite the current global economic downturn Downturn The transition point between a rising, expanding economy to a falling, contracting one. downturn A decline in security prices or economic activity following a period of rising or stable prices or activity. , with exciting new developments coming on board. These include a major programme to replace short range aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. With billions of pounds of potential global contracts up for grabs in the next ten years alone, it is essential that we give the region the best possible opportunity to win our fair share of orders." Andrew Mair, chief executive of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, said: "Advantage West Midlands is giving the aerospace supply chain another opportunity to invest in the vital new technologies that companies require for future aircraft programmes. "This kind of investment helps supply chain companies to participate in major national research programmes, securing high-quality employment for decades to come." The announcement was made at the latest meeting of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance Innovation and Technology Working Group.. |
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