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Celebrating a Century of Flight: The Woodford Aerodrome Centenary

In this special episode of the North West Aerospace Alliance News, Emma and Daniel dive into the rich history of the Woodford Aerodrome as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. Discover the aerodrome's pivotal role in British aviation, Hyde Group's long-standing contributions to iconic aircraft like the BAe 146 and Nimrod, and the unforgettable centenary event featuring classic flypasts and a commemorative plaque unveiled by the Mayor of Stockport. The Avro Heritage Museum plays a key role in preserving this legacy, and Emma and Daniel highlight the importance of supporting local institutions that keep the spirit of innovation alive. As always, the episode closes with a reminder of the North West Aerospace Alliance's mission to connect, support, and empower the aerospace community. Tune in for a journey through a century of flight and the enduring impact of British aviation pioneers.

Innovative Uniforms and Inclusive Design in Aerospace

In this episode, Emma and Daniel explore the collaboration between Murray Uniforms and Jaguar Land Rover, highlighting the Science of Uniform® concept. They discuss how this innovative approach aligns with JLR's brand identity and promotes diversity and inclusion by incorporating a Hijab in the new workwear collection. The episode also touches on how thoughtful design can enhance employee well-being, productivity, and the broader impact of SMEs on the North West aerospace cluster's innovation and growth.

Burnley College's Thrive Summit: Insights for Business Leaders

In this episode, Emma and Daniel delve into the details of Burnley College's Thrive Summit, an event that brought together over 75 business leaders from Lancashire. The summit featured insights from Neil Burrows, Damian Waters of the CBI, and Simon Lawrence from Lancashire County Council, focusing on the national and regional skills agenda. The discussion highlights the importance of skills training, the role of Burnley College in supporting economic growth, and future initiatives such as the first schools’ careers event in a decade. Tune in for a comprehensive overview of how Burnley College is preparing for anticipated changes and fostering collaboration among businesses.

Made Smarter Expansion: £16 Million Boost for SME Manufacturers

In this episode, Emma and Daniel discuss the UK government's £16 million investment to expand the Made Smarter programme to all nine English regions by 2025-26. The expansion will provide technology advice, leadership training, and skills development to hundreds of thousands of SME manufacturers. The programme includes grant funding for digital internships and technology projects to boost productivity and create high-value jobs. Additionally, the government plans to extend the Made Smarter Innovation programme with up to £37 million in 2025-26, alongside significant funding for aerospace, automotive, and life sciences sectors. Join Emma and Daniel as they explore the impact of these developments on SMEs, job creation, and decarbonisation efforts in the manufacturing industry.

Airframe Designs Expands Compliance Team with James Roy

In this episode, Emma and Daniel explore the latest addition to Airframe Designs' Compliance Verification Engineering team. James Roy, a Senior Structures Engineer, joins Lisa Chambers and Jerrod Hartley to strengthen the company's capabilities in structural analysis and certification. Emma highlights how James's approach combines theory with practical training to achieve CVE status. Daniel inquires about the approval process, which was handled by EASA approved Part21J design organisation ALAMO Engineering GmbH. The conversation also delves into James's current project involving the integration of a low-profile SATCOM antenna onto business jets, and the CEO's perspective on this strategic hire. Tune in to learn more about Airframe Designs' growth and innovation in the aerospace industry.

Cygnet Texkimp's Big Wins in Innovation and Decarbonisation

In this episode, Emma and Daniel highlight the impressive achievements of Cheshire-based Cygnet Texkimp, who have won four awards for their work in innovation and decarbonisation. The company took top honours at the Northern Automotive Alliance Awards and the Make UK Manufacturing Awards. Emma and Daniel delve into the specifics of their award-winning technologies, including a high-tension carbon fibre overwrapping solution for electric motors and hydrogen fuel cell powertrains, as well as their green-tech recycling solution, DEECOM. The episode also covers their upcoming challenge at the Make UK national finals in January 2025 and the broader implications of their success for the North West's aerospace and automotive sectors.

New Leadership at Olsen Actuators & Drives Drives Growth in the North West Aerospace Sector

In this episode of the North West Aerospace Alliance News, Emma and Daniel delve into the recent leadership changes at Olsen Actuators & Drives, a key member of the aerospace industry. With Ian Walch stepping into the role of Managing Director in September 2024 and Piers Olsen becoming Chairman, the company is set to focus on business development, strategic markets, and boosting revenue. Ian's background in aerospace, defence, and industrial sectors, along with his track record in restructuring and growing businesses, positions Olsen Actuators & Drives for a promising future. The episode highlights Ian's vision to develop skilled UK engineering capabilities and enhance the company's reputation through safety-critical actuation solutions. With full support from the leadership team, this change is seen as a positive development for the North West aerospace industry, emphasizing growth, innovation, and investment in people and capabilities.

Unlocking Aerospace's Future: The Invest 2035 Strategy

In this episode of the North West Aerospace Alliance News, Emma and Daniel dive into the UK government's new Invest 2035 strategy, a transformative Green Paper outlining growth opportunities for UK industry. With insights from Christine Hart of Brabners Law Firm, they discuss how this strategy could reshape aerospace through focus on advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and regional development. Learn how the North West's aerospace sector can leverage this strategy for sustainable growth and workforce development.

Hydrogen Power and the Future of Aviation with Airlander 10

In this episode, Emma and Daniel explore the exciting transition to hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source for aircraft, focusing on the Airlander 10. They discuss the benefits of green hydrogen, safety considerations, cost implications, and the innovative design features of the Airlander that make it a pioneer in hydrogen-powered aviation. With plans to achieve zero emissions by 2030, the North West Aerospace Alliance is at the forefront of this transformative journey. Tune in to learn more about how this technology could reshape the future of air travel.

One-O-Five Precision Shines in the InCumbria Business Awards

Emma and Daniel dive into the exciting news of One-O-Five Precision, a local aerospace supplier in Cumbria, being named a finalist in the Best New Business category at the InCumbria Business Awards. They discuss the significance of this recognition, highlighting the company's rapid growth, innovative use of advanced machining technology, and its impact on the aerospace industry. The episode explores how One-O-Five Precision is making strides in the precision machining sector, supporting the region's economic growth, and the importance of community engagement through events like the InCumbria Business Awards. With the ceremony set for November, Emma and Daniel reflect on the company's achievements and their outlook for the future.

Celebrating Excellence in Aerospace: Jake Mellor's Journey at Fluere Ltd

In this special episode, Emma and Daniel delve into the achievements of Jake Mellor, a Senior Process Improvement Consultant at Fluere Ltd, as he marks his second year with the company. Discover how Jake's contributions to key projects and his role as a mentor have made a lasting impact on the team. The conversation also explores the strength of the aerospace community and the future of Fluere Ltd. Tune in to hear the inspiring story of dedication and innovation in the industry.

MAPAL Group's Digital Transformation: Integrating c-Com for Aerospace Innovation

In this episode of the North West Aerospace Alliance News, Emma and Daniel discuss MAPAL Group's significant move to consolidate its digital services by integrating subsidiary c-Com GmbH into its main operations. Starting in January 2025, this strategic shift aims to enhance transparency, flexibility, and customer focus in aerospace manufacturing. Learn how their open cloud platform, c-Com, is streamlining tool management and machining processes, and how this integration reflects the broader importance of digital transformation in the industry. Tune in for insights into how MAPAL's approach is setting a new standard for innovation in the North West aerospace sector.

Unlocking Digital Transformation for Aerospace SMEs

In this episode, Emma and Daniel delve into the recent North West Aerospace Alliance event hosted at the University of Bolton, focusing on digital transformation for SMEs. They discuss key topics like benchmarking digital maturity, identifying challenges such as resource limitations and skills gaps, and uncovering strategies for successful implementation. Through insights from the Watchtower Programme, they highlight the importance of collaboration, incremental change, and data-driven decision-making in helping local aerospace businesses thrive in the digital age.

Sustainability in Aerospace: Trident Metals' Eco-Friendly Innovations

In this episode, Emma and Daniel explore the exciting developments at Trident Metals, a company making waves in the aerospace sector with its focus on sustainability. Learn about their new website and LinkedIn page, and how they're pioneering a closed-loop recycling process for high purity aluminium alloys. With the potential to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 98%, Trident Metals is setting a new standard for eco-friendly manufacturing in aerospace. Emma and Daniel discuss the implications of these innovations, the importance of sustainable practices, and the future of collaboration within the North West Aerospace Alliance. Tune in to hear how Trident Metals is leading the way in recycling and sustainability, and how their efforts are shaping the future of the industry.

One-O-Five Precision: Innovations and Growth in the Aerospace Industry

In this episode of the North West Aerospace Alliance News, Emma and Daniel explore the latest developments from One-O-Five Precision, a local precision engineering company. They've just released their new 2024-25 brochure, highlighting their advanced machining capabilities, quality assurance processes, and integration of new digital systems. The company has made significant investments in the latest technologies and equipment, expanding their range of services and enhancing efficiency. Daniel explains how this brochure serves as a valuable resource for potential clients, offering clear paths for collaboration from initial inquiries to full-scale production. Emma and Daniel discuss the importance of showcasing capabilities in a comprehensive way to build trust with clients and the exciting growth trajectory of One-O-Five Precision in the aerospace industry.

Burnley College Students Uncover History at Lancashire Archives

In this episode, Emma and Daniel explore the fascinating work of Burnley College students who transcribed historic journals during a six-week placement at Lancashire Archives. Tune in to learn how these students contributed to preserving local history and what their experience taught them about the past.

The Hidden Climate Impact of Aviation: Understanding Non-CO2 Emissions

In this episode of the North West Aerospace Alliance News, Emma and Daniel dive deep into a topic that's often overlooked in discussions about aviation and climate change: non-CO2 emissions. While CO2 often takes center stage, these emissions — including nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, particulate matter, and water vapor — are responsible for about two-thirds of aviation's total climate impact. Daniel explains how contrails, formed by water vapor in aircraft exhaust, can trap heat and contribute to global warming. Emma and Daniel also discuss the health and environmental effects of NOx emissions, which contribute to ground-level ozone and particulate matter, and how even low-sulphur fuels can still impact ecosystems through acid rain. The episode highlights Airlander, a hybrid aircraft that operates at lower altitudes to reduce contrails and NOx emissions. With kerosene engines using less than half the energy of conventional planes, Airlander achieves a more than 50% reduction in non-CO2 emissions. When the all-electric version launches in 2030, emissions will be cut to zero. Emma and Daniel conclude by explaining how flying at around 10,000 feet avoids the atmospheric conditions that create contrails, making Airlander a promising solution for industries that don't require high-altitude flights. This is a win-win for both efficiency and environmental impact, as Airlander is poised to shape the future of sustainable aviation.

Revolutionising Aerospace Manufacturing: The Power of SICK's Condition Monitoring Sensors

In this episode, Emma and Daniel explore how LC Automation's new SICK condition monitoring sensors are revolutionising aerospace manufacturing. These sensors provide real-time insights into machine health by tracking vibration, temperature, and pressure, enabling predictive maintenance and preventing unexpected breakdowns. Designed specifically for aerospace environments, the sensors are compact, durable, and easy to integrate into existing systems. Emma and Daniel discuss the benefits of these sensors, including improved production efficiency, quality control, and supply chain resilience, and how they align with the industry's move towards digitalisation and Industry 4.0. For UK aerospace manufacturers, LC Automation is the go-to provider of these innovative solutions.

Celebrating Excellence: Ram Gupta Recognized Among the UK's Top 50 Ambitious Business Leaders

In this episode of the North West Aerospace Alliance News, Emma and Daniel delve into the recent recognition of Ram Gupta, CEO of Nybble.co.uk Ltd, as one of the UK's Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders in 2024. Daniel highlights the significance of this honor for the North West aerospace community, explaining how it reflects the region's dynamic business ecosystem. The episode covers Ram Gupta's leadership, Nybble's growth in the technology sector, and the criteria for the LDC's annual recognition, which celebrates entrepreneurs driving industry transformation, job creation, and sustainability. Emma and Daniel also discuss Ram's vision for the future of Nybble and the insights from John Garnder of the LDC on the 2024 cohort. The conversation concludes with an analysis of what this achievement means for the North West aerospace industry, inspiring local businesses to innovate and collaborate. Tune in to learn more about the impact of this recognition and the potential for growth in the region.

Streamlining Aerospace Manufacturing with MBOM, Change Management, and Digital Twins

In this episode of the North West Aerospace Alliance News, Emma and Daniel dive into the latest strategies for streamlining aerospace and defense manufacturing. They discuss the role of Manufacturing Bill of Materials (MBOM) in ensuring compliance and reducing errors, the importance of agile change management in handling frequent design revisions, and the potential of digital twins for optimizing production processes. Drawing insights from Rachel Lecron, a seasoned manufacturing engineer, they explore the challenges and solutions for implementing these technologies in a highly regulated and customized industry. Whether you're looking to improve efficiency, stay compliant, or gain a competitive edge, this episode offers valuable insights for manufacturers in the North West aerospace cluster and beyond.