Farnborough Airshow Into the wild blue yonder By Jen Peake CIEDA Marketing of aerospace Specialist After take off comes the well as numerous aero- PCI representatives discussed partnerships landing. But for Muskogee space companies that had and subcontracting work for Muskogee Technology (MT), the company booths on display. Technology to have with Thales. Business continues to fly high with business. In CIEDA Director of Market- development reps from Thales are sched- July, representatives from MT, Creek In- ing Mal McGhee was invited by SES, an uled to visit MT in the coming months. dian Enterprises Development Authority Aerospace company from Huntsville, to sit (CIEDA) and the Poarch Band of Creek in on a meeting with Gov. Robert Bent- About the airshow Indians traveled to London to attend the ley and a general of the Kuwaiti Air Force. Farnborough saw 98 military del- Farnborough International Airshow. He also met with Honeycomb Aircraft egations attending from 66 countries and The airshow is a chance for companies, Repair Center’s top representatives Ken 29 commercial and civil delegations attend- such as Muskogee Technology, to meet with Arnold,Steve Walker and Bill Bryson and ing from 22 countries. Alabama, in general, industry leaders, establish new business re- with GKN Aerospace's Daniele Cagnatel. had a strong showing of delegates, with lationships and strengthen existing ones. Perhaps some of the biggest dis- 120 who attended the airshow. Farnbor- Visitors to this year’s airshow were provided cussions came from PCI reps meet- ough officials said 73,000 visitors were opportunities to learn more about the future present this year. of aviation, source new suppliers, evaluate ing with Airbus and Thales Group The Meet-the-Buyer program encoun- competitors, experience live demonstrations officials. Airbus scored big at Farnbor- tered 1,680 meetings between 40 buyers and and discover upcoming innovations. ough again this year and with a facility 200 suppliers during the three-day event. This year, the airshow saw huge deals now in Mobile, this could pave the way for This allowed companies of all sizes to form come together and closed out with Muskogee Technology to gain some extra new business relationships with internation- $123.9 billion in orders. That exceeded the business as well. al companies. organizer’s expectations. “In talking with Gene Young, who is Although the trade show is open to in- “It is a tremendous blessing for us to be Airbus’ senior director of governmental dustry officials, the general public can come able to attend this event and others like it,” programs, we could be in a position to do out and see static displays and flight dem- CIEDA President/CEO James T. Martin supply chain management with them,” onstrations. To open the airshow, the F35 said. “Building relationships that will last is McGhee said. “We want to capitalize on Joint Strike Fighter performed a flyover to crucial to not only our business but the aero- new opportunities quickly.” McGhee said the awe of visitors. And on the third day, a space and defense industries as a whole.” partnerships with Airbus were discussed Boeing 737 MAX plane performed a zero- and follow-up meetings were set. gravity vertical takeoff and free-fall stunt, What we accomplished The Thales Group is a French multi- with onlookers gasping in awe at the dem- PCI representatives met with other national company that designs and builds onstration. Alabama delegation representatives at the electrical systems and provides services Farnborough takes place every other year, Alabama trade show booth and visited for the aerospace, defense, transporta- alternating with the Paris Airshow, which a handful of booths from other states, as tion and security markets. McGhee said MT and PCI reps attended last year..