Typhoon’s £24m supply chain

Air watch: A Warton-built RAF Typhoon shadows a Russian Su 24 while on patrol duty over the Baltic states

The aircraft maker, which has sites at Warton on the Fylde and Samlesbury near Preston, spent more than £650m nationally with its supply chain companies last year.

Figures revealed by the Eurofighter Typhoon programme, which is flown by air forces across the globe including the RAF, came as the firm put its aircraft in the shop window at the Farnborough Airshow.

Among the Fylde coast firms winning business from the global giant were Gretone, of St Annes, Kilgour Metal Treatments of Thornton, Silverfield of Poulton and global concern Magellan Aerospace, which has a unit at Amy Johnson Way in Blackpool.

Gretone is a BIBA award winning specialist in precision-machined components for aerospace and industrial applications.

It was established in April 2010 after a pre-pack management buyout by Ian Hawkins and Kevin Owen and employs 60.

Silverfield was established in 1991 but was purchased from the receivers by Michael O’Brien, Giles Berkley and a Joe Southward. It employs around 50 supplying the Aerospace industry with Non-Destructive Testing and Protective Treatments.

Kilgour, a family firm founded in 1966, produces precision parts and offer metal treatments processes for aerospace.

Chris Boardman, managing director of BAE Systems Military Air and Information business, said the figures underlined the importance of the Typhoon programme to the UK economy as well as supplying cutting-edge technology to the nation’s armed forces.

He said: “When we see one of the RAF’s elite pilots take to the air in a Typhoon, it is the collective achievement of thousands of people across the country whose day-to-day jobs make it happen.

“We recognise the value these people bring to our business and work closely with them to help them invest in their people and technology.

“This way we can not only ensure Typhoon is a world-leading product, but that UK plc retains the talent and capability which has kept it at the cutting edge for so many generations.”

Paul Everitt, chief executive of defence trade organisation ADS Group, said: “Typhoon is hugely successful programme is a prime example of the UK’s world-leading capability in the sector, supporting many thousands of jobs and contributing significantly to the UK economy.

“Through the Defence Growth Partnership, a government and industry initiative to maintain our industrial position in this valuable sector, we will develop a plan that identifies core strengths.”