AN AEROSPACE support group has signed a £200,000 deal to help firms bid for large contracts.

The North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA), which is based in Nelson, has signed up the Advance Consultancy as part of its Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence programme.

Bosses hope the partnership will allow companies to get better-priced contracts via collective bargaining.

Gordon Owen, from the NWAA, said: “The aerospace industry is constantly changing, and through consultations with key aerospace stakeholders, the North West aerospace industry has recognised the need for a collaborative and integrated approach to respond towards the trend of through-life single contracts and risk sharing.

“We are confident that creating the extended enterprise model will provide the glue that binds collaboration between separate companies with common needs to successfully bid for larger work packages.”