WINTER 2011

AirTalkInvesting in the future

IN THIS ISSUE

Investing in R&D and InnovationPoeton Industries

ConnectFor engineers and business leaderspage 10

page 5

Just how do companies prepare

themselves for the future?

02

As we are well into the final quarter

of 2011, those of us with a calendar

financial year-end are already

focussed on driving for year-end

results. Its all too easy to lose focus

on our plans for the short, medium

and long term future and also forget

to celebrate and recognise the

year’s achievements so far. Just

recently the Boeing 787 finally

entered service with its launch

customer, the Japanese airline ANA,

powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000

engines. The JSF Lightning II STOVL

aircraft, the Harrier replacement for

the US Marine corps using a

LiftSystem designed and, in-part,

manufactured and assembled in

Bristol, completed its sea trials with

72 flawless short take-off and

vertical landings from a moving

aircraft carrier, demonstrating both

its capability and readiness for initial

service. WEAF too has continued to

move with the times, both with a

successful move into new, more

cost effective, premises and in

further extending the reach of the

industry sectors and services it

provides to members. Our work to

bring focus on developments in the

advanced manufacturing sector in

the south west continues as does the

work on the future energy sector –

particularly nuclear – with the

launch of the South West Energy

Cluster last month. WEAF is leading

the way in the UK ensuring that, as

a trade association, we continue to

open up these broader opportunities

to our members. There is no doubt

that 2011 has been every bit as

challenging as we might have

expected but as aerospace

continues to recover and prosper,

and, as its importance to the UK

recovery is increasingly recognised,

if we continue to have the

confidence to invest in our own

future, our opportunities as WEAF

members continue to improve.

Andrew Thompson

WEAF Chairman

Inside:

AirTalk is published by theWest of England Aerospace Forum:Unit C St David’s Court, Windmill Road,Clevedon, North Somerset BS21 6UPTel: +44(0)1275 872353 Fax: +44(0)1275 872355Email: enquiries@weaf.co.uk www.weaf.co.uk

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From the Chair 02

Chief Executive’s Report 03

New Members 04

Member News

Poeton investing in R&D and 05Innovation - an SMEs perspective

Altran Praxis wins supplier 05performance award

Fowlers of Bristol Celebrate 0650th anniversary

CD-Adapco 07

Gala Dinner Review 08

Annual Conference 09

Fromthe Chair

2012 dates for your diary

Date Event Venue

17 Jan 2012AS9100 Rev C1 day course

Exeter

21 Feb 2012Pre-Conference

Dinner

Winter Gardens

Weston-s-Mare

22 Feb 2012WEAF Annual

Conference

Winter Gardens

Weston-s-Mare

For full details of all WEAF events visit www.weaf.co.uk

The future holds many opportunities and pitfalls.

The difference between success and failure for small companies is not large but the impact can be huge. Just how do companies prepare themselves for the future? None of us has a crystal ball but by working closely with the Primes and their first and secondtier suppliers, we have a good idea of what the near future holds.

To quote Airbus’s Tom Enders “Airbus SAS, the world’s largest plane maker, said itsgrowth and that of competitor Boeing Co. (BA) may be hampered by component suppliers being starved of credit. The lack of credit makes it difficult for smaller companies with higher-risk profiles to get the extra equipment and workers to raise output to the levels needed,” he said. “We see some troubling signs of lack of capital, especially with some of our smaller suppliers Airbus is making heavier demands on suppliers now as it ramps up monthly production of A320 single-aisle planes from 38 inAugust to 42 by the second half of 2012.” WEAF is working closely with several banks totry to unlock the issues that are affecting the lack of access to finance. Not only that butare striving to support those companies in addressing the real issues of why the banksmay be reluctant to support the smaller companies.

This two way process is designed to see the whole picture and not just one side.

Talking of pictures, it isgreat to see the life sizereplica of the A169 ofAgustaWestland set up in the entrance to No 1 Victoria Street the HQ ofBIS. What better way ofdemonstrating the futureof the industry than that.

Finally, WEAF is workingclosely with the industry tobring together the SouthWest LEPs under a singletheme of supporting thesector going forward.

As the largest UK aerospace cluster we reallydo have something to shout about. Maybethat voice will be at Farnborough we would liketo think so!

03

WELCOME

Chief Executive’s Report

Investing in the future

04

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to ournew membersWestwind Air Bearingswww.westwind-airbearings.com

Westwind are a world leader in air bearing

design, manufacture, distribution and

service, mostly for supply in to the

electronic equipment markets. Westwind

also offer comprehensive sub-contract

machining and assembly, specialising in

very high precision parts to sub-micron

accuracy. The range and scope of facili-

ties is significant.

Efar Limitedwww.efar.co.uk

Efar is a successful IP technology company offering a comprehensive range of communications services, including internet and data connectivity and security and hosting services. At the heart of our operation is a dedicated Network Operations Centre (NOC)keeping existing and new clients informed and upto date with every aspect of their services and requirements.

N D Precision Products Limitedwww.ndprecisionproducts.co.uk

N D Precision are toolmakers with an established, long retained and highly experienced workforce. They are proud to be able to offer high priority turn-around times together with a professional and highly competitive precision toolmakers service. They havevast experience with the latest engineering equipment and Computer Aided Design facilities.

GMD Eurotool Limitedwww.gmdeurotool.co.uk

GMD Eurotool is a foundry of innovative ideas,clever designs and precision engineering fornearly 20 years. We work with some of the leading names in the aerospace, manufacturing,marine and motor industries to put in place guaranteed solutions, all geared towards improving their bottom line.

Siemens plc – Industry Automation & Drive Technologieswww.industry.siemens.co.uk

With world leading technology Siemens helptheir customers remain competitive. Their solutions help to improve operational efficiency,energy management and to enhance the safetyof manufacturing plants.

CD-adapcowww.cd-adapco.com

CD-adapco is the world's largest independent CFD-focused provider of engineering simulation software, support and services. From rotorcraft to re-entry... From ECS to UAV... Fromaeroacoustics to aeroelastics... The ability to deal with flow conditions ranging from subsonic to hypersonic,and anything in between, allows CD-adapco to solve the wide range of specialised multiphysics problems encountered in the aerospace industry.This unrivalled breadth of modelling capability makes CD-adapco unique inour ability to provide solutions that trulyspan the aerospace industry.

Kintetsu World Express (UK) Limitedwww.kwe.com

KWE provides complete customised logistics programmes for airlines, aircraft manufacturers,OEMs, maintenance and repair facilities and defence contracts. Our global office network provides technology driven, dedicated, competent, expeditious and trustworthy services.

Sunglasses set the fashion, always

looking cool. But the lifespan of any

one style can be brief, before the

next designs hit the street. For a

recent new design range, our client

needed lightweight and strength, and

magnesium fitted the bill, if only it

could be protected from the extremes

of function. They also wanted a

contractor who could develop a

bespoke surface treatment, one who

supported their products with

innovative R&D and so they

approached Poeton who boast a

100 year history in coatings, with one

crucial advantage – an R&D

department, with wear and corrosion

testing, metallography and microscopy

that works with customers worldwide to

solve their problems. Poeton Industries,

met the challenge, using their technical

coating and laboratory skills to solve the

problem of corrosion, adapting a new

05

MEMBER NEWS

Poeton - Investing in R&D and Innovation– an SME perspective

NewsMEMBER

treatment (PEO – Poeton ‘Apticote

3000M’) a form of super hard and

corrosion resistant anodising,

achieved by a glow discharge under

liquid. An added benefit was that the

process is also a ‘Green’ technology

capable of replacing existing chrome

based anodic processes for coating

magnesium alloys. The R&D allowed

Poeton to develop a coating that

surpassed the customers abrasion

and corrosion requirements, and

provided a superb surface key for the crucial

nano painting step. Because that’s all that

matters; looking good on the beach, despite

the onslaught of sand and salt on one of the most corrosion and wear prone

metals in the Periodic Table.

Poeton’s investment in R&D paid off for the client, resulting in a multi year

production contract that brought thousands of parts into the UK for

processing in Poeton’s Cardiff facility.

Altran Praxis wins supplier performance award

Altran Praxis achieved a consistently high rating from stakeholders across a number of the areas assessed

as part of NATS Supply Chain Management’s Supplier Performance Management (SPM) programme, which

combines both quantitative and qualitative criteria to measure performance such as ‘partnering behaviours’

and value for money to technical service provision and strategy alignment. Mike Stoller, NATS Engineering and

Programmes Director, commented: “This is a great achievement for Altran Praxis who has proven to be a very

capable and supportive supplier. The continuous improvement they have demonstrated over a number of years

is testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams and another validation of the strength of our

management of supplier relationships.”

Altran Praxis, the international specialist in embedded and

critical systems engineering, today announced that it has

become one of just a few suppliers to be awarded the

coveted NATS Supplier Performance Award by NATS, the

UK’s leading air traffic control organisation.

The accolade is in recognition of Altran Praxis’ role in the

development of iFACTS, which provides tools for

trajectory prediction, conflict detection and monitoring

aids, and support to their air traffic control

management systems.

06

MEMBER NEWS

2011 has proved to be an important and successful year for Fowlers of Bristol (Engineers) Ltd.

This employer has a workforce numbering some 28 people and originated from a

partnership dating back to 1918, the company was incorporated in 1961 and celebrated

its 50th anniversary on the 6th October.

Fowlers of Bristol (Engineers) Ltdcelebrate 50th anniversary

In a challenging market the company has

seen growth approaching 40% and has a

current order book exceeding £750,000.

The majority of new contracts have come

from the Aerospace industry and a number

of these are on long term agreements giving

the management team confidence into

2012 and beyond. Fowlers has also achieved

accreditation to Rev.C of AS9100 (International

Quality Standard for Aerospace) and believes

it was one of the first companies to do so,

demonstrating a real commitment by the

team to it’s customers and the Aerospace

industry in general, the scope of this

accrediation covers sheet metalwork,

presswork, precision machining, welding

and assembly. Trade associations such

as WEAF provide a wealth of specialist

knowledge and resource that have helped

the management at Fowlers progress in

what is a very challenging environment for

manufacturers. For further information on

the range of products and services Fowlers

can offer please contact Gary White.

SMEs: How to grow your business with the MOD

The MOD is an important and one of the largest customers for UK industry. SMEs ofall types and sizes can make a valuable contribution to the MOD’s ongoing work athome and overseas, and in doing so can also expand their businesses. However, for atypical SME, selling to the UK MOD for the first time can appear a daunting prospect.

To help you gain a share of this valuable business you can download a free interactiveeBook to help you take your first steps into the defence industry.

As well as providing a valuable resource, the eBook will help answer questions such as:

Why should I supply to the MOD?

How is the MOD helping SMEs?

What should I do now?

How do I find out more?

Download your free interactive eBook today at:

w w w . c o n t r a c t s . m o d . u k

07

Follow us online.For more information: info@cd-adapco.com www.cd-adapco.com/aerospace

Today, one of the greatest challenges facing the aerospace industry is remaining at the forefront of innovation while coping with reduced budgets, increased performance requirements, and intense competition.

Needless to say, in such an environment, using the right modeling and simulation tool can prove critical. By enabling their customers to enhance their products while simultaneously improving their development processes through simulation, CD-adapco provides the means to compete, thrive, and excel.

It is no wonder that engineers in the aerospace industry continue to adopt STAR-CCM+, CD-adapco’s flagship software, as their CFD-focused CAE tool at an ever-increasing rate. Our customer base is large and rapidly growing, ranging from small start-ups to large corporations in the commercial, defense, and space markets. Applications are as varied as our users – from small UAVs to commercial airliners and everything in between. The reasons are numerous:

Accurate and RobustSTAR-CCM+ has been rigorously tested and validated for aerospace applications ranging from low-speed to hypersonic aerodynamics, avionics cooling to cabin comfort, turbomachinery to rotorcraft. Integrated pre-processing designed for complex geometries means simulations can closer represent reality.

User ExperienceThe STAR-CCM+ modern interface and efficient workflow have been designed for the complete CAD-to-Solution process. Automation is built-in, and can be customized for any application. This results in engineers spending less time setting up simulations, and more time analyzing results and refining the design.

FlexibleThis investment in a single tool allows analyses to be performed in multiple disciplines, including thermal, propulsion, aerodynamics, acoustics, electric power, etc. Even multi-physics such as fluid-structure interaction are analyzed using built-in finite-volume stress model, or co-simulation with an external structural code.

ExperiencedWith over 30 years of experience, CD-adapco is committed to providing best-in-class product and support to the aerospace industry. Over 50% of our dedicated aerospace team is educated to PhD level, and most have worked for major aerospace companies from around the world.

CD-adapco’s promise to the Aerospace Industry can be summarized in the following statement by Steve MacDonald, CD-adapco President: “CD-adapco is committed to the aerospace industry. I can assure our friends in the aerospace engineering community that we will continue to leverage our experience and expertise in order to provide solutions that have the flexibility to accurately solve this industry’s broad range of flow, thermal, and stress problems with unprecedented efficiency.”

In the fast-paced aerospace industry, where requirements on performance and cost are constantly increasing and simulations are becoming more complex, CD-adapco remains the CAE partner for engineering success.

Engineering Success

08

GALA DINNER

The 2011 WEAF Gala Dinner

The 2011 WEAF Annual Gala Dinner was a great success at the new venueof the Marriott City Centre. With over 210 in attendance the event wasbuzzing and networking opportunities were vast. The highlight of theevening was the after dinner speaker David Bryon whose speech gaveeveryone something to think about next time they board an aircraft! Forthose of you who had, had a few glasses of wine Andrew Thompson isstill working at Rolls-Royce despite performing very well in his cabincrew routine!

The Charity raffle raised £1805.15 for Children’s Hospice SouthWest which will fund all the out of house sibling activities for an entireyear. Including trips to the cinema, picnics in the park, dry slope skiing,laser quest, bowling and trips to local theme parks and zoos. Thehospice encourages all their visits to be for the whole familyto offer sometimes neglected siblings the chance tomeet other children going through the samething, have some fun as a family and createsome very special memories. We couldn’t dothis without the support of kind people like you.Thank you.

Audit • Tax • Advisory • Investments

CARPENTRY& BUILDING

CONFERENCE 2012

09

Annual

Conference

22 Feb 2012

09:00 Conference Registration & Trade Stands Open

Tea & Coffee served in Trade Show

09:45 Conference Welcome

Graham Cole - WEAF Honorary President

Barry Warburton - Chief Executive - WEAF

10:00 AIRBUS

10:20 HONEYWELL

10:40 ROLLS ROYCE

11:00 BRISTOL AIRPORT

11:20 Coffee Break - Trade Show

11:50 National Composite Centre

12:10 Interactive Session

12:30 Election Results

12:45 Networking Lunch and Trade Show

14:00 MRO Workshop

Claverham

Newquay Aiport

AgustaWestland

Flybe

Question & Answer session

15:15 MRO Panel Session Ends

16:00 Trade Show and Conference Close

Flying HighCelebration of Aerospace

and Defence

*Agenda

*Subject to change at any time

The 2012

Pre-Conference

Dinner

21 Feb 2012

If you are already booked to attend the

Annual Conference why not come along to

the pre-conference dinner, this is a fantastic

opportunity to network with other

likeminded individuals.

Remember this dinner is only attended by

those who are attending conference and

last year was a complete sell out!

Places are limited so don’t delay

BOOK YOURS TODAY

This great three course dinner and

networking event is available at

the following rate:

£35 + VAT members

£45 + VAT non members