23 July 2010
ADS, the UK’s Aerospace, Defence and Security trade organisation, has announced that it is opening a new office in Northern Ireland in association with Invest Northern Ireland. David Beatty, head of Thales UK’s Belfast facility, is to take the role of Chairman.
The new presence for ADS will deliver a programme tailored to identify opportunities aimed at further developing Northern Ireland (NI) aerospace, defence and security companies to reach their full potential, increasing market share and raising awareness of NI manufacturing capability and technological achievements internationally. The office will bring together leaders from the major global aerospace, defence, and security companies with a NI presence, along with successful indigenous companies and academia to collectively decide policy and give direction to the ADS NI team.
Ian Godden, Chairman of ADS, says: “The UK is number one in Europe and second only to the US globally in aerospace and defence, with the sectors that we represent combining to employ 500,000 people and generate over £60 billion per year to the UK economy. The underlying reason for this strength is the diversity of its supply chain from the largest to the smallest companies and Northern Ireland is a perfect illustration of this. There are a great number of opportunities for businesses to enter the supply chain in Northern Ireland as well as for businesses based there who wish to access ADS services to boost their own exposure to UK and international trading opportunities.”
Alastair Hamilton, Chief Executive of Invest Northern Ireland, says: "The launch of ADS Northern Ireland office is recognition of the importance of this sector to both the Northern Ireland and wider UK economies. Through ADS, Northern Ireland member companies of all sizes will be able to access valuable resources to improve their capabilities, supply chain opportunities and new export based growth. This new office and the goals of ADS fit with Invest NI’s aerospace strategy of encouraging Northern Ireland based companies to seek higher value added opportunities within the global aerospace sector."
David Beatty, Managing Director of Thales UK’s Belfast facility and Chairman of ADS Northern Ireland, says: “It is excellent for Northern Ireland and its economy that the hard work of ADS, Invest Northern Ireland, academia and business has delivered an office that will join all our efforts together to boost the aerospace, defence and security sectors. We have put together a great team to deliver for ADS members in Northern Ireland and we now look forward to getting to work for these leading high-technology companies of all sizes.”
The founding of ADS Northern Ireland and the launch of the Belfast office is the culmination of over 12 months’ work between ADS, the local industry, Invest Northern Ireland and other stakeholders to determine how best to add value to the aerospace, defence and security sectors within NI. From market information and trade missions to supply chain improvement and skills development, ADS represents member companies, and works diligently in promoting the UK’s aerospace and defence sectors. The NI sector now has an excellent opportunity to take similar control of its future through ADS NI. A seamless resource of 100+ ADS staff located in the UK and overseas who have vast experience and knowledge across the entire spectrum of aerospace, defence, security and space will add considerable weight to the talents of the individual NI member companies.