What does Ford Aerospace do?
We are experts in the manufacture and assembly of mission critical components for the world’s most respected OEMs. As our name suggests we do a great deal of work for the aerospace industry, but we also support other hi-tech sectors such as defence, renewables and astronautical.
We are an award-winning business and have forged excellent relationships with some of the world’s leading Primes and OEMs to supply precision components for production, legacy and spares programmes. Providing a combination of make-to-print and industry standard components, the volumes we produce can vary greatly from single items to hundreds of thousands.
Precision Shims are also a key product line for the business. Essential for gap and tolerance management in critical structures and assemblies our products are used in many ways such as structures, transmissions, gearboxes and actuators. Available in metallic and non-metallic materials, they offer dimensional accuracy, reduced waste and inventory optimisation. In fact, Ford Aerospace is one of only two manufacturers in the UK, and a handful globally to manufacture laminated materials in-house.
What makes Ford Aerospace great?
Our history dates back to 1910 and we have changed a lot over the years, but we remain as true to our mission ‘to keep people moving safely’ as we ever did.
A proud North East SME our skills in gap management are world leading. Our products are tailored to meet the needs of individual customers, and our in-house expertise in manufacturing processes and practices, enable us to stand head and shoulders above others in the field.
Offering world-class manufacturing capabilities, Ford Aerospace is committed to helping grow the manufacturing sector. This can be seen by our commitment to the Ford Aerospace Apprenticeship Academy, which delivers pre-apprenticeship engineering programmes in collaboration with Gateshead College and South Tyneside College.
What does the future look like for Ford Aerospace?
Built upon strong foundations Ford Aerospace continues to innovate and support the growth of the manufacturing community in which we operate.
Our business is continuing to expand, as we strengthen our reputation for producing the highest quality components and mechanical assemblies.
Planned expansion will see us moving into new markets, including more international development. To support this activity, we continue to invest in our capabilities and facilities. Our team is obviously a vital part of our future activity plans so we will also be looking to nurture their development, as well as adding to the team.
We know Ford Aerospace is a great place to work, so we are definitely going to be sharing more information on our achievements in the future.
What are you looking for from your EMN membership?
More of the same please!
The opportunities and access to information EMN offers is so important to SMEs and the manufacturing sector. The networking and breakfast sessions are a great way to stay in touch with peers, share ideas and best practice. There are so many pressures on all our diaries, so being part of a network that listens and develops sessions in line with its members interests that you can dip in and out of is very reassuring.
What information do you want to get out to members?
As a business, we would like to be able to share more information about future opportunities and activities we are taking part in. The EMN membership directory is a great way to profile your business and likewise being able to share in our successes and post news stories on the platform is a huge bonus.
What are you going to offer back to the community?
One of the benefits of The Engineering & Manufacturing Network is that the members tend to be very proactive, for example hosting and taking part in speaker events. Earlier this year, we hosted an event at our South Shields facility which focused on how apprenticeships can help drive performance. Events such as these and the sharing of information is central to developing the network and something we are very proud to support.
We know first-hand how important it is to invest in the next generation, so our work with Ford Aerospace Apprenticeship Academy, is complemented by our work experience and active schools’ engagement programme, which regularly sees team members going into the classroom as well as arranging factory visits to give children and young people an insight to the world of manufacturing and the array of careers opportunities available in the sector. At the other end of the spectrum, several members of our team sit on industry focused bodies to help raise awareness of how important our region is to vital sector.