Enterprise Minister Recognises Success of Northern Ireland Aerospace and Defence Sector

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has recognised the importance and success of Northern Ireland’s aerospace, defence and security sectors to the economy during an event in Parliament Buildings.
~ Thursday, 19 January 2012

Speaking to senior executives and key influencers from both the local and global aerospace industry the Minister said: “Aerospace and defence are strategically important for Northern Ireland in terms of their commitment to advanced manufacturing, innovation, exports and skills.

“It’s among our most successful clusters with a successful track record of working with global aerospace and defence companies, including Airbus, Bombardier and BAE Systems, on developing and manufacturing sophisticated components and in providing specialist services such as design and stress analysis.

“At the core of the local industry are two of the industry’s leaders, Bombardier and Thales, the continued growth of which is essential to the future development of aerospace and defence here. I am particularly keen to encourage and to assist the growth of the industry through closer collaboration between these major businesses and the cluster of smaller aerospace and defence companies here.

“Indeed I believe the opportunity for closer collaboration between all businesses is significant. Greater collaboration throughout the sector, which Invest NI and ADS NI is facilitating, could lead to more success for Northern Ireland in a global industry which continues to experience significant growth.”

Rees Ward, Chief Executive of ADS, said: “If ever there was a part of UK manufacturing which punches above its weight, it is Northern Ireland’s aerospace, defence and security sectors. Employing 7,500 people these sectors contribute almost £1bn per year to the economy – meaning each employee contributes almost £130,000 per year in revenue output.

“In 2010, over 90% (£860million) of ADS Northern Ireland members’ revenue came through exports. With the global aerospace market demonstrating real growth during this period of economic difficulty, Northern Ireland is well set to increase its export potential and create new jobs.”

Notes to editors:

1. Findings from the ADS Northern Ireland survey into the aerospace, defence and security sectors for the calendar year 2010 included:

• Total sales from Northern Ireland amounted to £960million.
• Civil aerospace accounted for 85% of sales (£774milllion), defence 14% (£128million) with security (thought to be under-reported in the survey) at only 1% (£11million).
• Northern Ireland contributes 7.1% of the total UK aerospace output.
• Over 90% of revenues (£860million) come from exports, with £664million being exported outside the UK. The EU received 20% (£173million), the US 12.8% (£110million) and the rest of the world 44.2% (£380million).
• Exports from aerospace, defence and security represent 12.8% of all Northern Ireland manufacturing exports.
• £640million of orders were reported for the future.
• Research and development investment at £34million per year, making up 10.5% of all Northern Ireland’s business R&D expenditure.
• The sectors employ 7,541 people in Northern Ireland, 90% are in aerospace, 9.5% in defence and 0.5% in security. Of the total workforce, 4% are apprentices.
• Each employee contributes £127,246 per year in revenue output.

2. The ADS NI survey is available at: http://tinyurl.com/adsni2011

3. Further information on ADS is available from Samuel Jones, ADS Communications Manager Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 4521.

4. For media enquiries contact DETI Press Office on 028 9052 9604. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.