Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) has added four new members this year as the sector prepares for a post-lockdown take-off.
FAC represents companies in aviation and aerospace and the associated supply chain – mainly centred in the south and south east but with an international membership.
Since the industry was hit hard by the reduction in passenger traffic it has been lobbying the government on behalf of the sector.
The latest companies to join FAC are Oxfordshire-based business consultancy kc4business Ltd, US-headquartered software specialists CGTECH whose UK base is in Sussex, Global Shop Solutions, the software giant headquartered in the US with a Sussex branch, and Adaptix Ltd, an Oxfordshire-based 3D imaging company.
Chief executive of FAC David Barnes said: “Never has the sector been through a more difficult time. Aerospace and aviation have been among the hardest hit of all industries.
“Many companies have suffered greatly but their resilience has been astonishing.
“We initially saw them diversify to help the battle against Covid by making ventilators and other equipment.
“Since then they have diversified to gain entry into different markets in a bid to keep trading. And we’ve seen extra focus on research and development.
“Aerospace is one of the country’s genuine world class industries and it has to be ready to spring back when allowed.
“Those within it understand that sticking together is the best way for us to maintain that world-leading position post-Covid. That is why we have seen more companies join us.
“We offer great benefits, but it is the power of one voice representing hundreds of businesses and thousands of workers that attracts new members.
“We welcome the new companies to FAC and would urge others to join us as we prepare for the sector to be opened up.
“While this could take time, there really is light at the end of the tunnel. Communication between our members is the key to success.
“The nature of the sector means any re-opening requires a global solution and we must be poised to react as soon as lockdowns are eased.”
The country’s aerospace industry pre-Covid provided more than 120,000 skilled jobs with an annual turnover of £35 billion – most of which was generated by exports.