Independent sub-contractors, Logan Electronics, have been awarded the ADS SC21 Bronze Performance Standard for Supply Chain Excellence within the aerospace manufacturing sector.

Awarded by ADS, the Trade Organisation for Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space, the SC21 programme is endorsed by major UK Aerospace and Defence companies and is primarily designed to accelerate the competitiveness of the Aerospace and Defence industry by raising the performance of its supply chains.

Logan Electronics has received over 90 hours of direct support from AeroSpace Cornwall to achieve this significant milestone by working with their consultants to maximise workshop capacity and increase margins. As a result, Logan have improved their business processes, attained ISO quality accreditation and are working with key aerospace customers.  Logan are in the process of relocating to larger premises in Scorrier, due to business expansion.

To finish off what’s been a great year for Logan; they were invited to attend the UK’s most prominent manufacturing and supply chain event, Advanced Engineering at Birmingham’s NEC to receive their SC21 award.

Logan Electronics follow in the footsteps of manufacturing business RAM Gaskets, who worked with AeroSpace Cornwall consultants last year to achieve their SC21 bronze award. Other aerospace manufacturers in the region have also kick started their involvement in the SC21 programme with support from AeroSpace Cornwall.

Peter Munro-Lott FRAeS of AeroSpace Cornwall added, “Thanks to the funding and support we offer at AeroSpace Cornwall, innovative manufacturing companies are helping to fuel growth in Cornwall”.

Looking to accelerate your competitiveness in the Aerospace industry? Find out more about the ADS SC21 programme and how your business can qualify for support from an AeroSpace Cornwall consultant:  contact James on 01209 614492.

The AeroSpace Cornwall programme is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the AeroSpace Cornwall programme.

On Thursday night, 31st October, the winners of the prestigious Cornwall Manufacturers Group (CMG) awards were announced, celebrating the very best and brightest of manufacturing talent in Cornwall.

Excelling business leaders, exporters, apprentices, community projects and innovations were celebrated at a special ceremony hosted by Richard Rumbelow, Director of International Affairs and Exports for Make UK (the Manufacturers Organisation), and attended by over 160 of the counties business leaders and manufacturing pioneers.

Eric Nicholls, chairman of the CMG says: “These awards are an opportunity for Cornwall’s thriving manufacturing companies to showcase the dynamic and progressive sector. Manufacturing accounts for 10% of Cornwall’s GVA, in a sector that sees the South West deliver £14.3bn to the UK economy. The importance and value of manufacturing cannot be underestimated and tonight’s event shines the spotlight on the county’s £732m manufacturing industry, recognising and rewarding the talent our county is fortunate to have.”

This year’s competition saw an exceptional quality and number of entrants with judges interviewing and visiting candidates over several days to truly get ‘under the skin’ of the organisations.

There were three finalists in each of the award categories, with some of the businesses supported by AeroSpace Cornwall.  The winners as follows:

• Manufacturer of the Year – Composite Integration
• Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Emily Brown, DP Engineering
• Environmental/Community Project – St Austell Print Company
• Innovation/Improvement project of the Year – Unmanned Survey Solutions
• Exporter of the Year – Teagle
• Business Leadership award – Dr David Hodgson, PV3 Technologies
• Outstanding Contribution to Manufacturing – Ken Martin

Jon Hurrell, CEO of the CMG concludes: “Securing Richard as a speaker for our awards ceremony, having him share his knowledge and direct dealings with Government on Brexit, highlights the increasingly national and international role Cornwall’s manufacturers play. This is absolute recognition by global business leaders of the important role of manufacturing to Cornwall’s economy and we were delighted and honoured to have his support.”

The awards, headlined by Make UK, were sponsored by SWMAS, Acceleration Through Innovation, The Skills Hub, Beacon Project, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, Bishop Fleming and Lloyds Bank.

AeroSpace Cornwall has awarded an R&D grant to three businesses in Cornwall, fostering a collaboration that enables them to develop UAV components for Prismatic Ltd, and increase their capability in the aerospace industry.

Composites business, Piran Advanced Composites, design business, Acadmy Ltd and CNC machining business, Digital Fabrications Ltd, are partnering to develop a high performance carbon composite design for Prismatic Ltd.

Based in Hampshire, Prismatic Ltd develop novel space and aerospace systems, including solar powered High Altitude UAVs.  The three businesses in Cornwall are using their grant funding to provide the 5 and 8.75 metre wing sections for two of their UAVs, namely the LASA-5 and the PHASE-8 aircraft.

This joined up approach from the businesses in Cornwall enables them to maximise their product offering to Prismatic Ltd. The process starts with designers from Acadmy Ltd who use Computer Assisted Design (CAD) to design wings for the LASA-5 and the PHASE-8 aircraft.  CNC fabricators, Digital Fabrication, take the designs and cut precise patterns for  the wings.  The process ends with Piran Advanced Composites, who build the moulds and airframes, ready to be integrated into the UAVs by Prismatic and ready for flight trials.

Peter Munro Lott from AeroSpace Cornwall states that the funding offered by the programme is vital for businesses as it enables businesses to collaborate and develop a complete product.  This ‘join the dots’ approach is helping businesses connect and grow in the aerospace and space sectors – enabling them to work with other leading businesses nationally.’

Support is still available for innovative businesses that could contribute to further growth of the Cornish aerospace and space economy. Contact AeroSpace Cornwall for more information on support and funding.

A leader in electrochemical materials, PV3 Technologies, are the latest in a line of businesses that have received financial support for an innovation project from AeroSpace Cornwall.

With a grant of £45k, PV3 Technologies are using the support offered to develop advanced coatings for use in lightweight fuel cells of the type used in long range UAV’s.  The Project ‘Fly’ will focus on innovations that will increase the range of fuel cell-powered UAVs, and the manufacturing technology required to deliver the innovation at large scale.

PV3 Technologies’ CEO, Dr David Hodgson said “This project supports product and manufacturing innovations within our business and will facilitate an entry point into the aerospace sector, something new for PV3 Technologies.”

The project will be led by PV3 Technologies’ COO, Dr Nick van Dijk. Nick said “We have an amazing team in PV3 Technologies that are eager to grasp new challenges such as this. We will leverage our core skills, capabilities and know-how to move into a new industry sector.”

Head of Innovation at AeroSpace Cornwall, Gail Eastaugh, ‘We are delighted to be able to support such an innovative company as they move into the energy sector, demonstrating Cornwall’s innovation capabilities.  This technology will radically enhance energy creation in the unmanned aerial vehicle market and should create highly skilled jobs in the future.’

The news about project funding follows on from a successful track record in securing innovation funding for hydrogen, manufacturing and battery projects. PV3 Technologies has recently invested in new laboratory facilities that will be a critical part of this project.

To find out more about Launceston based business, PV3 Technologies go to https://pv3technologies.com/