THE next 12 months will see aerospace companies forge even closer links.

They are being urged to make 2001 the "Year of the cluster" by pooling their resources and efforts to win more business.

The Nelson-based North West Aerospace Alliance has launched a strategy to encourage aerospace firms, support service industries and other organisations to join forces to promote growth and wealth creation in the area and throughout the region.

Outlining the strategy at a NWAA members meeting, chairman Dennis Mendoros called for a proactive approach for firms to "cluster together" in a bid to attract direct grants, funding and new business.

During the next 12 months the NWWA will concentrate on:

Fully developing the idea of "clusters".

Attracting research and technology investment for small to medium sized enterprises.

Exploiting global marketing opportunities.

Upgrading skills levels

Developing new and improved manufacturing processes.

Attracting new direct funding for major aerospace projects.

Implementing its innovation strategy for the aerospace sector.

Guest speakers at the meeting included Mike O'Sullivan, head of manufacturing for Airbus UK, who gave an account of Airbus wing construction in the North West.

Picture: Chief executive John Whalley, Dr Duncan Steel, Mike O'Sullivan and chairman Dennis Mendoros at the NW Aerospace Alliance meeting