Skates to promote aerospace sector at Paris show

ECONOMY Secretary Ken Skates will join key industry figures at the Paris Airshow today to help to promote Wales’ aerospace sector to the world.

The Paris Airshow, which is held every other year in the French capital, is one of the world’s largest events of its kind. This year it expects to attract record numbers of exhibiters and more than 250,000 trade visitors.

The Economy Secretary will join the six Wales based companies exhibiting on the Welsh Government stand who are looking to maximise business opportunities and secure new orders.

They include Wrexham based engineering company Tritech Group, which last year secured around £10m worth of new business at the Farnborough International Airshow.

Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Skates said: “I am very excited to attend this year’s Paris Airshow and join our aerospace team and the excellent Wales based companies on our stand. Tritech, Faun Trackway, Spectrum Technologies, Denis Ferranti, Haydale and LMg Solutions will be working hard throughout the event to make new contacts and secure new business.

“The aerospace industry is already a priority sector for Wales. We are a centre of excellence for aerospace manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) related activities and play home to over 160 companies who are active in the sector.

“Some of the biggest names in aerospace and defence, including GE Aviation and Airbus, are located in Wales and collectively the sector employs in excess of 20,000 people.

“Wales is punching above its weight but we want to keep building on our success, and the presence of the Welsh Government and Wales based companies at high profile events like the Paris Airshow is crucial in helping us to generate new business and trade opportunities, and stimulate growth in the sector.”