SUPPLIER INVENTORY FUNDED LISTING COULD LURE MORE AEROSPACE FIRMS.

Byline: Peggy Hager Staff Writer

LANCASTER - California's Budget Conference Committee has earmarked $200,000 for a statewide database of California's aerospace subcontractors and suppliers.

The money will be used to keep up to date over the next two years a database listing 42,000 companies, compiled over the past four years by Southern California Edison Co. from lists of suppliers obtained from the prime aerospace contractors in California.

``This is a project we have been working to get funded by the state for the past four years,'' said Assemblyman George Runner, R-Lancaster. ``Maintaining this database means California will have another tool in its toolbox when attracting aerospace projects to California.''

According to Barry Sedlik, Manager of Economic and Business Development at Edison, ``the database will reinforce the context that aerospace is a very large and important element of our economy.''

Runner agreed: ``This is an important part of the mosaic that has to be brought together to increase the aerospace opportunities in the future.''

For most of the 42,000 companies, the aerospace industry comprises only a part of their business. But if that part is lost, the viability of the company is at risk.

Even among aerospace manufacturers, only 43 percent of revenues come from aerospace customers.

Of the subcontract and supply companies surveyed, 30 percent say they would attempt to follow their aerospace customers if they moved out of state. Having suppliers close means a tremendous number of jobs and sales for California and the Antelope Valley in particular.

``This is a major push to retain some of the programs here. The importance is to recognize the importance of the aerospace industry in California,'' said Alis Clausen, an Antelope Valley Board of Trade leader. The Antelope Valley Board of Trade initiated its own study of aerospace businesses in the Antelope Valley four years ago. At the time, the state was not in a position to compile the information so Edison took over the project.

``Edison has been an important partner in trying to maintain a job base in California. They saw this as an important job growth issue,'' said Runner.

After two years, the database will be evaluated to see whether it has been effective and should be maintained.

``The issue is going to be to try to consolidate the manufacturers into a force for California so we can use them as a strategy to draw defense aerospace contracts and commercial contracts to California,'' Runner said. ``As an organized group, we are more effective at doing that.''