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MANUFACTURING AEROSPACE AND ADVANCED
By Ged Henderson
WATCHTOWER LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
Andrew Schofield of the North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) explains the £1m Watchtower initiative in one sentence: “We are trying to keep Lancashire ahead of the game”.
Launched earlier this year, the pioneering programme is looking to support development and growth in the vitally important aerospace and advanced engineering and manufacturing industries across the county.
Born out of the Covid-19 pandemic and the huge damage it inflicted, Watchtower is a collaboration between Lancashire County Council and NWAA and includes big hitters such as BAE Systems, Safran Nacelles and Rolls-Royce.
There are several strands to the project. It will use local industry knowledge to support aerospace suppliers as they stabilise, recover, and grow following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Additionally, it aims to identify organisations that will benefit the most from “tailored,
coordinated business support” and help them access the right type for them.
The two-year programme also includes an intelligence function to identify and protect Lancashire’s key aerospace assets and businesses.
There will be a talent retention service to help people who have lost skilled jobs in aerospace to find new work.
Diversification is also part of the brief. Support will be there for businesses to find new contracts which fit their manufacturing capabilities both nationally and internationally. They will also get help to innovate and develop new products or ways of working.
On top of that, a campaign will reinforce the message that Lancashire is a “perfect location” for aerospace and advanced manufacturing businesses looking for somewhere where they can grow.
The funding is part of the county council’s £12.8m Lancashire Economic Recovery and
Growth Fund – specifically targeting some of the economic impacts of Covid-19.
At its launch earlier this year, Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, explained: “We want to support AEM businesses to be competitive, innovative and financially sound to ensure they can successfully recover from the pandemic and thrive.
“The county council’s financial contribution will support 40 aerospace supply chain SMEs, help safeguard and create 200 jobs, and bring in £30m of revenue into the county.”
Addison Precision in Thornton-Cleveleys hosted the launch. Mark Verdon, managing director of the engineering company, said: “The past two years have been extremely challenging to the aerospace sector, and we have had to adapt and diversify our operations further to accommodate these challenges.
“This has led us in some interesting directions and processes as we look to the future, and this is something we have to continue to
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