The Isle of Man has started to play a significant role in the development of the UK’s aerospace supply chain.
In the past four years the Isle of Man’s engineering manufacturing sector grew by 38%, and since 2007 it is the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster (IOMAC) in particular which has contributed to this growth.
At the heart of the cluster are four of the island’s aerospace manufacturers and engineering companies – GE Aviation, Swagelok, Ronaldsway Aircraft and Manx Engineers. But the cluster also includes 16 aerospace manufacturers and service providers based on the island. These companies employ a total of 800 people.
Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster fact file
Manufacturers involved in the aerospace cluster produce components for use in aerospace, marine and oil exploration. Recently they have been involved in major global projects such as the manufacture of the Airbus A380, Boeing Dreamliner and the Phoenix Mars Lander.
The headquarters of the RLC Group resides on island – the privately owned group includes the island’s own Ronaldsway Aircraft Company along with Langford Lodge Engineering in Northern Ireland and Callender Aeropart in Lancashire.
The heritage of this group goes back almost 60 years – a distinction shared with other high-profile island facilities such as GE Aviation and Swagelok.
Intellectual property
While the products and companies within the sector are diverse, companies in the IOMAC generally have several characteristics in common. Most own their intellectual property, have capital-intensive processes and require highly skilled workforces.
One of the channels through which suppliers within the Aerospace Cluster are able to source and win business is through closer collaboration with private sector companies.
Last year, IOMAC became part of the North West Aerospace Alliance, so linking the Isle of Man to one of the largest and most proactive aerospace clusters in Europe.
One potential barrier to continuing growth is the shortage of qualified talent, but this is an area which IOMAC is addressing. It is a supporter of the Island’s Awareness of Careers in Engineering (ACE) project, which is rejuvenating interest and employment of local skilled people into the engineering and manufacturing sector.
Apprenticeship scheme
Last summer, IOMAC launched an innovative apprenticeship scheme which offers a taste of all aspects of the industry, whereas previously apprentices may have only been trained in one specialist area.
The aim is to replicate what happens at Rolls-Royce, BAE or Airbus, exposing the apprentices to wide and deep expertise in different elements of the industry. It promotes a much better understanding of all the disciplines and will help give them more of an idea where their chosen expertise may lie.
Developing relationships with suppliers is something that is key to IOMAC’s strategy, and plans going forward include having a presence at the Farnborough Air Show and visiting BAE and Rolls-Royce.
The continued success of the aerospace sector is proof that partners on all sides are united in their support of IOMAC.
Adrian Moore is development manager for manufacturing with the DTI in the Isle of Man
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