Advanced Engineering Case Studies

CAV Aerospace

CAV Aerospace is one of the North East’s key aerospace companies. Founded in 1990, the company’s headquarters are still based in Consett today.  The company operates two separate business units:

1.    The Aerostructures unit, which covers design and manufacture of fabrications, aircraft components and sub-assemblies.
2.    CAV Aerospace’s Ice Protection unit designs, manufactures and installs systems for aircraft ice protection which allow aircraft to be certified to fly in icy conditions.

Since 1990 the company has grown and achieved a global presence, building on its North Eastern roots. In addition to a total of five UK based sites, CAV Aerospace operates two sites based in the USA and a further two sites in Central Europe.

Activities in the region

In July 2007 CAV Aerospace secured work providing wing-parts for leading international company Airbus, in a contract worth £100million. This contract resulted in a £4.5million investment into new equipment in order to facilitate the Airbus contract, as well as the creation of new jobs in the North East region.   In addition, CAV Aerospace has opened a site located next to Airbus in Wales, which is used to store the products manufactured in Consett. The company is recognised as an Airbus centre of excellence and this status is anticipated to secure work contracts between CAV Aerospace and Airbus for between 20 and 25 years. 

When CAV Aerospace began trading in 1990, it employed a total of 10 employees. The number of employees has grown steadily since then, with more than 600 employed throughout the organisation, and approximately 400 of these individuals based in Consett. A total of 100 new positions were created at the Consett site in 2007. 

Future development

The company expects to build on the success and growth which it has achieved to date. Owen McFarlane (CAV Aerospace Chief Executive) anticipates that in 2008 the company’s turnover will increase to £68million, which would represent a growth of almost 50% from the £35million achieved in 2007.  It is expected that employment opportunities at the site will continue to grow in the future. This growth in employment opportunities is being supported by a grant from One NorthEast.

Contact

Mike Eggleston – Head of Programmes
Tel: (01207) 582811
m.eggleston@cav-aerospace.net

Web
http://www.cav-aerospace.net