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Aero firm swoops in on £250m deal
A BLACKPOOL aerospace firm is one of four companies to join forces with BAE Systems to work on the largest defence programme in the world – in a contract worth more than £250m.
John Huddleston Engineering, based on Amy Johnson Way, South Shore, will join three firms working through the North West Aerospace Alliance(NWAA) programme.
It has been selected by the defence giant to work on the F-35 Lightning II (Joint Strike Fighter) 10 year project.
The businesses will work together in a close partnership designed to ensure quality of delivery and value for money.
It is part of an 8m scheme, funded by the NorthWest Regional Development Agency.
The partnership is working with 26 key regional companies and hundreds of their staff have already attended bespoke training courses.
Today Martin Wright, chief executive of NWAA, said: "The North West has a world class supply chain, supported by a world class supply chain development programme.
"For these four companies it is a clear sign that the work NWAA Programme is succeeding.
"The companies in the North West can deliver world class work, and BAE Systems recognises the importance of supporting the local supply chain."
BAE Systems is working with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grummanon the F-35 programme, mainly on the airframe including manufacture of the aft fuselage, vertical and horizontal tails and wing tips.
Much of the work is carried out at BAE Systems' Samlesbury site.
At its peak, the project will manufacture at least one aircraft every day by 2016.
Steven Broomhead, chief executive of NWDA, which provides funding to the programme said: "The aerospace sector in the North West has an annual turnover close to 7bn and forms almost a third of the total UK aerospace turnover, making it the most significant region in the UK.
"The NWDA has a very strong relationship with BAE Systems and fully recognises the strategic importance of the company and of the Samlesbury site.
"We are working closely together on several key projects which will provide mutual benefits for our organisations and most importantly
for the wider NorthWest region."
Other North West companies involved in the partnership are Hyde Aero Products, Dukinfield, Manchester; RLC Group, Altham, near Accrington and Thyssenkrupp,
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Weather for Blackpool
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 18 C
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Wind direction: West
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