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3 minute read

Boeing to create opportunities in Scotland with new alliance

Boeing and Scottish Enterprise have signed a strategic agreement that is expected to create significant opportunities for companies, universities and regions across Scotland, and create 200 jobs over the next five years.

The Boeing Scotland Alliance will aim to double Boeing’s supply chain in Scotland – which could be worth tens of millions of pounds to the Scottish economy.

The Alliance will focus initially on sectors including space, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies, exploring joint sustainability initiatives within the aviation sector which support Scotland’s transition to a net zero economy by 2045. It will also explore innovations in areas such as reducing manufacturing time, materials waste and energy usage that lead to lower aircraft weight and lowering carbon emissions through greater fuel efficiency.

The Boeing Scotland Alliance will aim to double Boeing’s supply chain in Scotland and create new quality jobs over the next five years / Picture: Scottish Enterprise

 

Economy secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said: “Today’s announcement represents another important milestone in Scotland’s manufacturing innovation journey.

“It is a strong endorsement of public sector collaboration, building high value supply chain relationships and embracing academic excellence to deliver for industry. The Alliance furthers our vision to see Scotland as a manufacturing nation and validates our decision to invest £48m in establishing the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS).”

Sir Martin Donnelly, president of Boeing Europe and managing director of Boeing UK and Ireland, added: “This is a blueprint for Boeing working with suppliers and universities in Scotland, harnessing and contributing to the deep expertise already here in advanced manufacturing. Boeing is proud to keep developing new investments and relationships across the UK in our ever-growing partnership.

“This follows our £100m joint investment in RAF facilities in Moray. We look forward to new partnerships to come, building on the strength of the impressive Scottish aviation supply chain and excellence in high-tech research.”

David Smith, national opportunities director at Scottish Enterprise, said: “This Alliance agreement builds on the existing business activity between Boeing and Scotland and is the result of many months of discussion with Boeing. It’s fantastic news for Scotland and enables us to take forward a wide range of new possibilities with Boeing, starting with the aerospace R&D project.

“Deepening our strategic partnership with one of the world’s largest manufacturing companies will lead to new jobs and increased opportunities for Scottish SMEs, which will directly benefit the people, families, communities and regions of Scotland.”

Manufacturing is crucial to Scotland’s economy, employing more than 180,000 people and accounting for over half of international exports and half of R&D spend.

One of the initial activities supported by the new Alliance is an £11.8m R&D project between Boeing and the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre, part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland. The project is supported by £3.5m of R&D funding from Scottish Enterprise and will see Boeing establish an R&D team in Scotland to look at metallic component manufacturing as the basis for future aircraft components.


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