Eleven Midlands’ aerospace SMEs on trade mission in Poland

The aerospace firms undertook reportedly a series of visits to local factories, potential partners and held meetings with buyers and distributors.

The UK companies travelled to Poland with a view to exporting to or establishing in Poland and capitalising on the UK’s strong trading relationship with the country.

The trade mission was run in partnership with Bank Zachodni WBK (part of Santander Group), Aviation Valley Association (Poland’s largest aerospace cluster association) and Altios International (the global advisory firm).

The companies that attended the trip were Coaching for Change, ATA Group, Pattonair Poland, CG Tech, Enventive Engineering, Ronaldsway Aircraft Company, Therser (UK), VBC Group, Wallwork Heat Treatment, MetLase and Poeton Industries.

Reportedly, the initiative is aimed at helping businesses enter new overseas markets and capitalise on trade and investment opportunities. While in Poland the firms visited four factories: Pratt and Whitney Rzeszow, Bodycote Polska Aerospace Defence and Energy, Aero Gearbox International, and Poeton Polska.

Poland was chosen as the destination for the aerospace trade mission due to its growing aerospace industry and over 100-year history in the sector. Rzeszow has the largest aerospace cluster within Poland and the Polish aerospace industry has over 200 companies producing in excess of €1.3bn in annual revenues.

Andrew Mair, chief executive, Midlands Aerospace Alliance said: “Working closely with Santander and Aviation Valley our delegation was able to see first-hand – and meet the key people behind – the tremendous investments currently being made in the aerospace industry in south eastern Poland to make the region a rapidly growing global centre of excellence for engine gearboxes, auxiliary power units (APUs) and much else besides.”