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SBAC Scotland
As part of an ongoing programme to engage with its UK supply chain BAE Systems is supporting the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) ‘Harnessing Innovation Industry Day’, held at the West of Scotland Science Park in Glasgow. The aim of the initiative is to focus on how Scottish industry can use their innovation, research and development expertise to win real and profitable business opportunities with the UK's major aerospace and defence companies.
“We are collaborating with other industry leaders to implement the SBAC’s SC21 supply chain initiative and have worked closely with industry peers to ensure we are avoiding duplication in key areas, such as supply chain improvement, accreditation and auditing of new suppliers,” says Russ Armitage, BAE Systems Corporate Procurement Director. “BAE Systems has a good track record in Scotland and last year we placed over £165 million of contracts with 565 companies in the region. What we want to do now is build on that and develop our supply chain here further.”
Over the course of the day long conference representatives from across the BAE Systems Group will brief participants on the technology, innovation, research and development approach the company is taking and how the wider supply chain can contribute.
“Research and development is one area where are constantly looking for fresh ideas and innovation and this can come from smaller companies,” says Simon Jewell, Strategic Business Development Director. “What we are now trying to achieve is an openness that will enable these companies to engage with BAE Systems more effectively.”
The ‘Harnessing Innovations Industry Day’ is one of a series of conferences, organised by the SBAC and the regional development agencies, as part of an initiative instigated in response to the Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy, which called for a more inclusive approach to the supply chain.
