Space Skills and Supplier Summit to Land on Tyneside
Lockheed Martin, a global technology leader in aerospace, space and security, is inviting regional businesses and academia to join a space skills and supply chain summit on Tyneside, aimed at stimulating interest in becoming involved in the UK Space Sector.
In partnership with Invest North East England, The Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence based here at NETPark and the Supply Chain North East, the Summit is being held on March 1 in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Newcastle. It will provide potential supply chain partners from North East industry, regional universities, colleges and skills providers an opportunity to learn more about opportunities in both commercial and defence space programmes and how to get involved.
Globally, Lockheed Martin helps solve some of the world’s most complex challenges through space technology, delivering security and prosperity. It builds satellites that give early warning of severe weather, connect troops on the battlefield, and deliver critical GPS services to a billion people worldwide.
The company, which has ambitious growth plans in the UK space sector is already developing a number of projects round the country. This includes a partnership with SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland to deliver the first vertical satellite launch in northern Europe.
Now, the business is exploring options to further expand its UK footprint by establishing a satellite manufacturing facility, creating opportunities to expand its industrial base and reach new global markets in partnership with UK-based companies.
Nik Smith, UK and Europe director for Lockheed Martin Space said: “With its strong manufacturing heritage and exciting cluster of space companies and academia, the North East is a natural place for us host our event. We’re looking for partners from across the North East region to join our team and have exciting opportunities for local businesses to work with us across the whole of the space supply chain, from ground systems and data analytics, through to design and delivery of space hardware.”
The Space Sector Skills and Supplier Summit will bring supply chain representatives from across Lockheed Martin to Tyneside with a view to identifying new partners from industry and academia to support its UK space ambitions. Universities, colleges and skills providers are also invited to attend, to find out more about employment and talent development opportunities in the region.
John Bone, Chair of the North East Space Leadership Group, said: “This event builds on the growth of the space economy we have started to see in the North East over the last few years and supports the ambitious plans to both scale-up and help the sector to level-up here to provide thousands of jobs in the coming years. An event such as this helps to accelerate much of the existing investment to support the growth of the sector, both in terms of skills and supply chain development.”
Guy Currey, Director, Invest North East England said: ” North East England has a strong and flourishing advanced manufacturing sector, so we are delighted to be working with Lockheed Martin as they expand their UK operations in the space sector.
With a vibrant cluster of companies who are leading the way in satellite applications and component manufacture, the region has superb R&D capability, strong skills market, and an extensive supply chain of engineering companies supporting our world-leading automotive and energy sectors, underpinning why North East England is an outstanding location for the space sector. ”
Alan Whittaker, Programme Manager of Supply Chain North East, said “This event will showcase the regional capability to support new investment in satellite manufacturing and draw on our expertise to enable Lockheed Martin to engage directly with potential suppliers. Space is an exciting, emerging sector for the region and presents significant supply chain opportunities across the whole of the space value chain.”
Interested businesses and academia can register interest and register to attend by visiting the event page.
Lockheed Martin has operated in the UK for nearly 80 years. From postal sorting technology to helping build the UK’s first commercial spaceport, its innovations and partnerships help solve some of the UK’s most complex challenges, contributing to national defence, security and prosperity
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