Boeing hosts UK suppliers in Seattle to explore opportunities for future collaboration

• 30+ UK suppliers will learn about opportunities on Boeing’s commercial aviation programmes
• Cements Boeing’s commitment to grow its partnerships with the UK supply chain.

SEATTLE,  26 Sept. 2022  - Boeing [NYSE: BA] has welcomed more than 30 UK suppliers to Seattle to explore future opportunities for collaboration.

The forum, hosted by Boeing in partnership with UK trade association, ADS, and the Department for Business and Trade, connects suppliers, including small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with Boeing operations and supply chain executives.

Focused on Boeing’s commercial aviation programmes, the two-day event includes a visit to the Boeing ecoDemonstrator airplane, a 777-200ER (Extended Range), to learn how it partners with customers, suppliers, government agencies and academia to test technologies that enhance safety and sustainability. Suppliers will have the opportunity to showcase how their products and technologies can support Boeing’s goals, including efforts to accelerate more sustainable aviation.

Maria Laine, President of Boeing in the UK, Ireland and Nordic regions, said: “These supplier forums are a key part of our commitment to develop and grow the UK supply chain, where we have spent more than £12bn since 2015. It’s been a pleasure to meet teams from some of the UK’s most innovative companies, including SMEs, to learn how their skills and expertise can match up with requirements on Boeing’s global programmes. Through our close partnership with the domestic supply chain, UK government and ADS, we remain committed to supporting the growth of the UK aerospace industry.”

The supplier event comes amid an announcement that the UK and the US state of Washington will sign a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost trade and investment.

Minister for Industry and Economic Security, Nusrat Ghani, said: “This particular deal will be fantastic for our aerospace industry through investor intros, trade missions, and increasing access to procurement markets. I’m delighted to join Boeing and our handpicked group of innovative UK companies to discuss how Government and industry can work together to create jobs and grow the economy.” 

Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, said: “Following Boeing joining the ADS-led Supply Chain Solutions framework earlier this month, it’s fantastic to see their commitment to increase their partnerships with the UK’s supply chain. The UK aerospace sector is a hub for advanced manufacturing and delivers exports worth an estimated £18.6 billion per year while providing more than 108,000 highly skilled and well-paid jobs. ADS members partnering with industry leaders like Boeing will strengthen the power and competitiveness of UK supply chains for years to come.” 

Matt Farnsworth, Commercial Director at the University of Sheffield AMRC, who is attending the supplier event, said: “Despite having a close research relationship with Boeing for over 20 years, previous missions have successfully opened new, exciting opportunities for the AMRC with a number of Boeing business units and technology owners, we hadn't previously engaged with. The AMRC is playing a key role in driving innovation, research and development for UK manufacturing, especially for the aerospace sector. The upcoming Boeing trade mission will further fuel and accelerate our journey to make the UK a world-leader for sustainable manufacturing in aerospace.”

As well as a tour of Boeing’s Seattle sites, where aircraft including the 737, 767 and 777/777X airplane families are manufactured, the event includes briefings from Boeing and UK Government on the future of the aerospace industry, along with panel discussions and networking opportunities.

Last week, Boeing was named winner of the Supply Chain Diversity Programme award at the Supply Chain Excellence awards hosted by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) for its efforts to boost opportunities for smaller aerospace suppliers, in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade and the Ministry of Defence.

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About Boeing in the United Kingdom

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defence products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. The company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing has a UK workforce of over 3,800 people, including early careers, veterans and reserves across the country and has spent more than £12bn with the UK supply chain since 2015. For more information, visit www.boeing.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @BoeingUK.