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Two Island Firms Win Major Aerospace Research Contract with DTi

Monday, September 25, 2006

Isle of Wight companies are leading the way in aircraft wing technology, securing research contracts that will help develop the next generation of lighter, more fuel efficient planes.

Enabling Technologies and GKN Aerospace have both landed parts of important government contracts to research and develop new processes for a new generation of more efficient, lighter and lower cost wing structures for civil and military aircraft. Success will mean both lower construction costs and significantly better fuel economy to meet environmental demands of governments and operators world wide.

GKN Aerospace, based in East Cowes, has an established reputation in the sector, but for Enabling Technologies, a young company based at the Innovation Centre, cracking the aerospace research & development market for the first time was a huge step.

The breakthrough to making this happen was the introduction of Enabling Technologies to the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium by the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership’s Enterprise Hub.

Steve Ashworth, Technical Director for Enabling Technologies said, “this project is breaking new ground and testing new technologies that will be critical for the next generation of aircraft.”

He continued, “It is notoriously difficult for smaller companies to even pitch for these types of contracts so the part IWEP played to enhance our visibility with the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium was vital.”

Mike King, Managing Director of the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership said, “Congratulations to both companies, this demonstrates the strength aerospace engineering expertise on the Isle of Wight. It is also a vital step towards building the cornerstone of our economy on innovation, research and development.”