Empey sees NI companies take-off at Farnborough Airshow

Employment Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has attended the Farnborough International Airshow where he saw Northern Ireland companies compete on a worldwide stage.

The Minister visited the local companies at the Invest NI stands and said: “Farnborough is the aeronautical business’ big show and having local companies represented here is vital to positioning our organisations on the international aeronautical scene. It puts our economy and workforce on a world stage and lifts us into world class industry.

“Naturally, it is essential that these local businesses have the workforce and support available to allow them to continue as industry leaders. We are working to ensure that employees and employers have the necessary skills to make our industries competitive on a global basis.”

The Minister began his tour at Bombardier which has been promoting its new CSeries aircraft at the show. The Bombardier plant in Belfast will be responsible for the design and manufacture of the composite wings for the new plane. Bombardier is heavily involved in the Department for Employment’s apprenticeship programme and currently employs a total of 164 apprentices, some of whom will be working on the CSeries project.

The Minister commented: “Apprentices play a vital role in ensuring that we have a better skilled workforce in Northern Ireland which, in turn, leads to a more robust economy. This is essential in ensuring that we make the most of the economic recovery when it comes and this new contract will be an exciting and valuable experience for all involved.”

Sir Reg concluded: “Despite the severe challenges of the economic downturn, the Northern Ireland economy has the quality to merit being present at this high profile event - a sure sign of hope for the future and investment here.”

Notes to editors:

1. The Farnborough International Airshow is a seven-day international trade fair for the aerospace business, which is held biennially in Hampshire, England. The Airshow is organised to demonstrate both civilian and military aircraft to potential customers and investors. Along with the Paris Air Show, Farnborough is an important event for the aerospace industry, particularly for the announcement of new developments and orders.
2. There will be almost 1,400 exhibitors from 38 countries.
3. Bombardier will display a number of Bombardier aircraft.
4. Six companies will display at the Invest NI stand: Moyola Precision Engineering Ltd.; John Huddleston Engineering Ltd.; Maydown Precision Engineering Ltd.; Aerospace Metal Finishers Ltd.; Denroy Plastics Ltd.; and Bombardier Customer Services.
5. All media enquires should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch on 028 9025 7872. Out of office hours, please contact the EIS duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.