Delight at aero deal; INDUSTRY: Contract provides big growth opportunity.

Byline: By Jon Grifin

THE sky's the limit for Midland-based Mettis Aerospace after the Redditch company clinched a multi-million pound contract to supply high-precision components for a new generation of aircraft engines.

The Worcestershire firm has been selected by worldwide giant Teleflex Aerospace Manufacturing Group as its exclusive supplier of aluminium outlet guide vanes in a deal with General Electric Aircraft Engines.

The five-year contract encompasses a range of purpose-designed, precision-forged aluminium vanes which are used to direct the flow of air exiting the fan cases on large turbo-fan aero engines, including those being used to power the massive Airbus 380.

Archie MacPherson, managing director of Mettis Aerospace, said today: "We are delighted to have won this prestigious contract as it follows our strategy of providing a global service to the major players in the aerospace industry.

"We look forward to the tremendous growth opportunity that this award brings to us on new generation engines from GE Aircraft Engines and we will continue to work with Teleflex to further improve product performance and cost of ownership.

"Teleflex has a world-class reputation for the machining of aerofoil products and we feel our partnership on these projects will ensure we deliver the highest level of performance possible to GEAE."

Teleflex Aerospace - formerly Sermatech manufacturing Group - is part of the two-billion dollar Teleflex Group and specialises in high-precision equipment for prototypes and production components. It has centres in the US, Mexico, France and the UK.

TAMG President Michel Petit said: "Mettis has a proven and reliable capability. This factor, combined with their team of highly competent people, and our confidence in their customer support were key influences in our decision."

Mettis employs 550 people at its Redditch headquarters.