It is now just hours to go before we can say goodbye to 2023. But unlike this time last year, we’ll be saying it with some degree of sadness. The last 12 months are ones we will happily remember. With aircraft production increasing and new enquiries from major manufacturers, it seemed the hard work put in to invest in our facilities and processes was worth it.

So what can we expect to see during 2024? It’s fair to say that as aircraft manufacturers ramp up production to meet the pent-up demand for more planes, we believe this will result in an increase in both current and new orders to help meet their targets. Also, the amount of interest we found in our work while at major events during the year proved that there is still huge demand for UK precision engineering and the unique skills and experience we bring to Tier-One supply chains.

We are thankful that the hard work we put in during the last years is proving so attractive to customers new and old. And we look forward to a 12 months where we will continue to strive to meet ever higher standards and help our partners achieve their targets.

But for now, we wish both you and all our partners a Happy New Year. Here’s to a wonderful 2024 for you all.

 

2023 has been a very positive year for Middlesex Aerospace. Not only have we seen orders move back towards pre-COVID levels, but the backlog in plane deliveries has seen a ramp up in some production areas.

The ongoing investment in new machinery, combined with the hard work put in by everyone here to be ready for the markets to recover is paying off. Not only have we won new high-value business but we have been attracting attention from major figures across the aerospace sector. Throughout 2023 we have seen new orders come in. So we are highly pleased that the future orderbook and forecast look very promising indeed.

Industry Overview

The rebounding aerospace market has seen positive developments for our work. With customers increasing production rates we will be increasingly busy to hep manufacturing partners meet their targets.

Accreditation renewals

Our industry depends on working hard to continuously reach every higher standards. To help us maintain our position as a leading precision engineering partner we have renewed BSI & Cyber Essential Plus Approvals. These allow us to be compliant with a number of key defence and aerospace contracts.

NADCAP Audit

Following an intensive inspection process, Performance Review Institute informed us that Middlesex Aerospace has achieved Nadcap® accreditation for Non-Destructive Testing. Furthermore, our recent audit has earned the company an additional 2 credits, meaning the certification remains in place until 2025.

To reach this standard is highly challenging; indeed, many members of the aerospace supply chain do not reach this level.

Events

One of the highlights of a very busy events calendar was the Paris Air Show. This globally renowned show returned for its 54^th outing on the 19th June for 7 days’ at the Le Bourget Parc des Expositions in France.

As the largest air show and exhibition in the world, the biennial Paris Air Show attracted nearly 140,000 visitors to see 2,453 exhibitors from 49 countries. Not forgetting of course the sight of 140 aircraft on display.

We met with many of our close supply chain partners to discuss projects with industry attendees and exhibitors

DSEI

We joined security supply chain partners at DSEI 2023 at EXCEL from 12^th – 15^th September for the biggest edition of the show to date – and the most successful event we have attended in 20 years.

DSEI welcomed over 1,000 specialist suppliers this year in an exhibition that showcased some of the latest thinking in defence and security.

While at DSEI Middlesex Aerospace met several key partners and discussed the challenges they face with securing precision engineering services. This was a great opportunity for us to showcase the class-leading work we deliver that helps manufacturers achieve the highest quality standards.

MAKE UK Defence Conference

Birmingham was the venue for the latest Make UK Defence Conference. We met with key contacts from over 12 Tier-1 companies as well as hearing from another 8 organisations within the defence sector.

Bringing new talent to precision engineering

2023 has seen us continue the longstanding partnership with Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT). Through course sponsorship, providing work experience and apprentice placements we are committed to working with BCoT to develop talent within young people.

Middlesex Aerospace and the local community

As part of our commitment to local grassroots sports, Middlesex Aerospace is proud to be the sponsors of the Winklebury Wizards U-10 side. This year we were delighted to see the team win their league, which is a great result for them. Winklebury Wizards is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who help children stay fit and healthy, and develop vital social skills and friendships.

Attracting and nurturing talented young people into leading precision engineers of tomorrow is essential to the future success of our business. Middlesex Aerospace has operated an apprenticeship scheme since 1950. Over a third of our staff, including members of the senior team, started out as apprentices.  Over the decades we have committed to investing in future talent and develop strong relations with the education sector. This allows us to provide an outstanding apprenticeship scheme in both the technical certificate and NVQ programme.

 

The latest apprentices to join our scheme are Jason Buckle, who is 18 years old from Basingstoke, and Scott Wilson, 19 years old from Medstead. Jason and Scott have now settled in as first year students at Basingstoke College of Technology, studying Level 3 Engineering Technician.

 

As apprentices Jason and Scott attend BCoT on a day release basis over the next three years. This gives them a combination of class-based study with practical experience within our facilities. For their first year at Middlesex Aerospace both Jason and Scott have been placed in the Toolroom. They are receiving mentoring from Dave Andrews, who possesses over 50 years experience. This is providing invaluable experience and advice to augment their college course.

 

It is great to have them both on the team at Middlesex Aerospace, and we wish Jason and Scott every success in their chosen career with us.