SCOTTISH BUSINESSES DISCOVER THE SKY’S THE LIMIT IN THE SPACE INDUSTRY…

THE OPPORTUNITIES for businesses to benefit from the UK’s fast-growing space industry have been highlighted at a special event.

More than 50 representatives from SMEs took part in the Space Readiness event held at the InterContinental Edinburgh The George earlier this month (Oct) which gave them the opportunity to hear at first hand how they can be part of this burgeoning market.

People from industries including fabrication, engineering, electronics and manufacturing were able to find out how their particular skills could easily be adapted to the demands of space.

Organised by Lockheed Martin – which is at the forefront of developing space initiatives in the UK – and RTC North, which helps companies find ways to grow into new markets, attendees heard from a whole range of speakers who currently work in the industry.

Among those attending on the day was Stuart Johnstone, Business Development Executive at Livingstone-based J-TEQ EMS Solutions.

The company provides advanced electronics manufacturing products and solutions to a number of industries, including space and aerospace.

“I found the event a useful platform to gain a better understanding in how to get involved with Lockheed Martin as a supplier into the space industry,” said Stuart.

Among those presenting on the day were Michelle Kinnaird from Scottish Enterprise and Darran Gardner from the University of Strathclyde.

Lockheed Martin – which works closely with both the UK Space Agency and the wider Government – took along a number of top level speakers, who gave the inside track on a number of relevant topics.

This included Lockheed Martin’s Head of Supply Chain, Helen Meston, who talked on doing business with the MOD, along with Rob Heron from Lockheed who gave a presentation on satellites and Head of Product Assurance, Rupinder Dale.

Guests also got the opportunity to have a Q and A session with the panel, to find out more about how their particular businesses could take advantage of opportunities.

Ben Shaw, Head of Operations and Capture at Lockheed Martin UK, gave the keynote speech on the day and said the invitation-only event had been a huge success.

“This event was a fantastic way for companies to understand how to enter the space market and to learn about the possibilities there are for them to work in this industry and with Lockheed Martin,” said Ben.

“We want to encourage more companies to get into this market and to realise the huge number of opportunities it can bring.”

Alan Whittaker, Head of Operations at RTC North, echoed Ben’s words and said the feedback from attendees had been very positive.

“It was great to work with Lockheed Martin once again in delivering a highly informative event for SMEs involved in supply chains in Scotland,” he said.

“The excellent line up of speakers and subject areas helped the delegates to understand more about accessing supply chain opportunities in the defence and space sectors.

“We look forward to delivering further activities in the year ahead across the north of England and understanding the impact through more engagement within supply chain programmes.”