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Portsmouth Aviation values local skills for global expansion
Portsmouth Aviation, number 195 on the Solent 250, was started by the grandfather of its current MD, Simon Escott (pictured), as the first air taxi service ferrying passengers along the South Coast. Overseas expansion is currently creating a myriad of new opportunities, as Sue Hughes found out
Portsmouth Aviation is undergoing a period of remarkably successful and rapid overseas growth at a time when manufacturing has been very hard hit in the city of Portsmouth.
From its base at Airport Service Road – where Escott’s grandfather once employed the pioneering long-distance aviator Amy Johnson – Escott and business development manager Dave Connors explained that joint venture partnerships involving big defensive and commercial programmes are key to the success of the company as its development plan targets strategic global expansion.
Committed to seeking out innovative engineering ideas and applying them to benefit both business and individuals, the company deals with weapons integration, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) filtration systems and transportation and stowage systems. Technology and solutions developed for CBRN defence, as one example, have been adapted for other customers, such as high-risk containment areas for Royal Mail.
Portsmouth Aviation is a preferred supplier and partner for many big organisations and accreditation such as its AS91000 Rev C provides a gateway into new sectors and industries, such as petrochemical, nuclear and oil and gas. It invested not only £2 million in new machinery in 2013, but also in apprenticeships to create and develop the skilled workforce which it needs to undertake work, while ongoing training and support is integral across the organisation.
“We’re known for innovation – past products historically include chicken pluckers and potato peelers, but you can bring that bang up to date with weapons integration, postal protection, data logging and UV filtration,“ said Escott. “The latter involves using ozone for air purification, technology which is of particular interest in areas such as the Middle East.“
With a comprehensive ’all under one roof’ design- to-manufacture capability, Portsmouth Aviation has a wide ranging portfolio in engineering terms. Its pool of experts have an established track record in delivering high-quality and innovative engineering solutions across the full spectrum
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and most recently, Portsmouth Asia (based in Mumbai and Delhi).
“These need to align and develop at the same time for 2014, but I suspect some areas may move faster than others. We need to concentrate on the stability of existing customers and markets, therefore, as we grow these new divisions.“
Although not planning any immediate acquisitions, the company always keeps an eye out for potential good fits and new products. Water filtration is one such example, with innovative purification technology providing opportunities in Europe as well as further afield. It also has a keen interest in renewable energy.
Portsmouth Aviation has not relied on a bank- borrowing facility since the mid-1990s and has intentionally moved from owing a bank to building robust cash reserves, which gives it the freedom to develop its new overseas associations and respond to customer demand.
of manufacturing methods, meaning it has both the people and facilities to cope with a varied order book. Clients range from the MoD and BAE Systems to Lockheed Martin and Royal Mail.
“The hardest thing to sell is your capability,“ continued Escott. “We make different things. Product technology has adapted and diversified to provide so much more, such as clean air for hotels or a technology which may be used for an aspect of a nuclear disaster rebuild. To spread the risk we had to get into commercial products, but our defence background gives us an enormous base and global reach for the company.“
Now employing 130 people, including third- generation skilled workers on the shop floor as well as third generation Escott who is very much ’out there’ as the face of the company. With a 2013 turnover of £20m, Portsmouth Aviation is optimistic for its future: “We have an excellent order book and the new group associations are very exciting,“ said Escott.
The new associations are: Portsmouth Atlantic (based in Canada, to export and promote to both Canadian and South American markets), Portsmouth Emirates (based in Abu Dhabi), Portsmouth Arabia (based in Riyadh where a young and growing Middle East population is shifting to quality suppliers for civilian production)
Its workforce is agile and reactive to a varied and miscellaneous order book and with his family business background, Escott is always approachable. He has embarked on a communications strategy, to ensure that all understand why key overseas areas have been targeted. Like many MDs in manufacturing, he appreciates compliance issues regarding quality and health and safety, but acknowledges the intensely time-consuming nature of dealing with so much bureaucracy. His personal goal for 2014, is to see Portsmouth Emirates, Asia, Arabia and Atlantic forging ahead strongly in line with strategies for future success.
Speaking a week after BAE Systems’ devastating decision to cut jobs in Portsmouth, Escott said that the loss of an engineering skills base was the really tragic aspect, because workers may not obtain similar skilled positions locally.
“If I had to say one thing to the Government, it would be this – don’t lose sight of our indigenous capabilities,“ he concluded.
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THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – DECEMBER 13/JANUARY 14
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