Other countries want to win the ‘Crown Jewels’ of wing production, warns Airbus

WALES is a European centre for the production of aeroplane wings but one of the most senior figures in Airbus’ UK operations has warned that other countries want to move into the sector – considered the “Crown Jewels” of the industry – as the country confronts Brexit.

Katherine Bennett, senior vice-president of Airbus UK, left MPs in no doubt about the challenges Brexit presents for the aviation giant, which has major operations in Broughton, north Wales.

Describing her battle to keep the country a centre for aerospace design, she told the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee: “It’s important that we keep that capacity and build on that, and that is what I see as my job, fighting to ensure that the wing design, what we call the Crown Jewels of aerospace, remains in this country. I need to let you know, committee, that other countries would dearly love to design and build wings, and that some of them already do.

“We actually do build wings in China. Now, believe you me, they are knocking at the door as a result of the situation we’re in in this country.”

Stressing the importance of access to the EU, she said: “Every single thing we export from the UK goes into the EU. We don’t export anywhere else.”

Brexit, she warned, had placed an “extra burden” on the UK company as it competes for investment. She said: “The most important thing is our sites remain productive and competitive. This is the point we’ve endeavoured to make on the Brexit situation all along. Every single site in Airbus, whether it’s in the EU or outside the EU, has to compete for a piece of investment. My role is to represent the UK and to ensure the productivity and competitiveness is in the right place for us to get that investment, and I have to say Brexit puts an extra burden on us.”

A key concern is that extra paperwork must not lead to delays.

Ms Bennett added: “We have this amazing aircraft in Broughton which flies our wings called the Beluga aircraft. It’s called that because the front of the aircraft opens up and the wings go in.

“It’s really important that has a two-hour turnaround. We have several of those movements a day, so we really don’t need any customs paperwork or bureaucracy getting in the way.”

She noted the need to “revamp” IT systems, commenting on “yet another burden going on my shoulder when I’m putting a good case on the table for the UK”

However, she stressed that Airbus had the people who could address challenges and “what we’re more worried about is the impact on the supply chain”.

Underscoring her company’s commitment to the UK, she said: “Airbus is extremely committed to our sites. It’s a hugely capable organisation...

“It’s not terribly easy to move a huge manufacturing site... It’s an amazing facility up in north Wales with 7,000 employees...

“We need to ensure that the UK puts a good foot forward, our sites remain competitive.”

When asked if Airbus had contingency plans to reduce its supply chains in the UK she said: “There are no plans at present because all our supply chain commitments are very firm. It’s really important the UK supply chain remains competitive and has the best leadership, runs the best businesses and has the best skills, but that’s the same [for] any suppliers we use.”

Striking a positive note she said the “sky isn’t falling on our head just yet”.