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New leadership for MAA

David Danger of UTC Aerospace Systems and Peter Smith of Nasmyth Group are the new chair and vice chair.


David Danger, Managing Director of Marston Aerospace, a UTC Aerospace Systems company, has been elected chairman of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA) by the Board of the industry representative association. Peter Smith, Chief Executive and Chairman of Nasmyth Group, has been elected as Vice Chairman.

The MAA is one of the world’s biggest regional aerospace bodies with more than 300 member organisations, more than half of which make “flying parts” that go ono aircraft with the remainder making equipment for design, testing, manufacturing or providing specialist services. Major Midlands aerospace companies including Meggitt, Moog Aircraft Group, Rolls-Royce and UTC Aerospace Systems are represented on the MAA Board of Directors as are representative supply chain companies and regional partners.

David Danger said:

Though it is sometimes overshadowed by our automotive sector, the Midlands is home to one of the world’s largest aerospace industry clusters. We face challenging times with a combination of unparalleled growth in the volume of aircraft being manufactured across the world and an unsettled economic environment. Now more than ever our companies need to be clear on their strategy and direction. That’s why my first task as chairman is to work with the MAA Board and management team to refine the MAA’s own strategy and business plan.

The MAA exists to serve all its members. Whether it’s technical support, marketing information, business development opportunities, airshows, market intelligence, changes in regulations or anything else, we need to take this opportunity to define what it is our membership values, and make sure we provide it.

New MAA vice-chairman Peter Smith said:

I thank the MAA board for electing me vice chairman and look forward to working with my fellow directors and the MAA management team to support our members by maximising their business and growth opportunities.

The Midlands is home to one quarter of the whole UK aerospace industry and Nasmyth Group is a proud member of this global supply chain. I look forward to working with Andrew Mair, Chief Executive of the MAA and the MAA Board to support our members and connect customers, suppliers and partners in the region to maximise the business and growth opportunities available to them.

David Danger and I welcome feedback and suggestions from members to help us fulfil these important functions. And we encourage members to participate in events and to network to get the most out of their membership.

Andrew Mair, Chief Executive of the MAA said:

We are all delighted to welcome David and Peter as our new chairman and vice chairman after eight years of growth and success under Clive Snowdon’s leadership. As part of a big global player, UTC Aerospace Systems is one of the Midlands’ four major aerospace companies, and Nasmyth Group is a significant part of the aerospace supply chain, in the Midlands, the UK and internationally.

David will provide a unique perspective on how we can make sure Midlands companies and jobs benefit from global growth. Peter has a wealth of knowledge and experience having built up one of our main aerospace suppliers. Together they will drive our strategy to help our member companies and deliver the advice, services and support which they need to maintain world leading positions in this exciting industry.

David Danger concluded:

I wish to thank the Board for its confidence in selecting me to succeed Clive Snowdon as chairman. Clive has done an outstanding job in that role over the last eight years. He takes with him into semi-retirement the thanks and best wishes of all the Board and membership.

 

Peter Smith MAA Vice Chair

Peter Smith

David Danger MAA Chair

David Danger

 

 For more information please contact: Anne at Midlands Aerospace Alliance, 02476 430 250 or anne.esterson@midlandsaerospace.org.uk.

 

Notes to Editors

About the Midlands aerospace industry

The Midlands aerospace cluster is one of the world’s biggest – even though we don’t make aircraft. We design and make the aero-engines and sophisticated mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and electronic aircraft systems that power and help pilots fly large passenger aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the Airbus A380 double decker and the brand new Airbus A350. We are home to ¼ of the UK aerospace industry, 7% per cent of Europe's and 3% of the world's, with more than 40,000 full-time-equivalent jobs in manufacturing for global aerospace markets – without counting the region's several airports and RAF bases. More than half of our aerospace companies make technologically sophisticated “flying parts” that become components of aircraft with the remainder making innovative equipment for design, testing, or manufacturing aircraft parts or providing specialist services.

About Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA)

The MAA is one of world’s biggest regional aerospace alliances with more than 300 member organisations. Major Midlands aerospace companies including Meggitt, Moog Aircraft Group, Rolls-Royce and UTC Aerospace Systems are represented on the MAA Board of Directors as are representative supply chain companies.

The MAA’s mission is to help the Midlands aerospace industry develop and thrive. It ensures that the Midlands’ voice is fully represented throughout the aerospace industry and in the formation of national and regional aerospace strategies and programmes through formal partnerships and its extensive networks within industry. The MAA also meets directly with UK government departments and Ministers to highlight the importance of the aerospace industry in the Midlands.

One area where the MAA has excelled for more than a decade is in supporting member companies to develop their own technology and intellectual property so as to help them compete successfully in global markets for the long term.

About Marston Aerospace and UTC Aerospace Systems

Marston Aerospace provides a wide range of heat transfer and fluids management products and services for the military and commercial aerospace markets, motorsport and electronics industries.

Industry leading developments continue to keep the company at the forefront of aerospace technology and we are currently part of some of the major new programmes in the industry including A380, 787, A400M and JSF. Today, we operate as an autonomous business unit within UTC Aerospace Systems, part of United Technologies Corporation (UTC).

UTC Aerospace Systems designs, manufactures and services integrated systems and components for the aerospace and defense industries. UTC Aerospace Systems supports a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and customer service facilities.

Follow the company on Twitter: @utcaerosystems

About Nasmyth Group

Established in 2003, Nasmyth Group brings together as an effective team the collective expertise, resources and technology of 13 customer-orientated, precision engineering businesses in four specialized divisions located in the UK, the US and India. The Group’s Head Office is in Coventry, UK. The divisions are: Systems and Defence, Metallics, Technologies and Metal Treatments. Nasmyth currently employs over 800 highly experienced and specialist industry professionals.

Nasmyth Group’s capabilities include:

  • Design and reverse engineering, supported by CAD/CAM and the latest analytical techniques and technologies
  • Precision machining and shaping of high performance metals and materials
  • Construction, testing and certification of both simple and complex structures using the most advanced welding and assembly techniques
  • System engineering and total product or component solutions
  • Plasma, plasticized, chemical and thermal treatments and repairs
  • Global supply chain management and logistical solutions
  • Best-in-class after-sales support.