THE Isle of Man’s manufacturing and space sectors have received a significant boost.
It has been announced that ADS, the premier trade organisation for all companies operating in the United Kingdom’s Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space sectors, will be establishing a regional office in the Isle of Man.
The office will be managed by the Department of Economic Development’s business development manager for Manufacturing and Space, Adrian Moore, with support from the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster, the Department’s internal marketing team and Space Commerce consultants, Mansat.
The arrangement was sorted out following the recent Farnborough Airshow which was attended by island officials.
Commenting on the establishment of the new ADS office in the Isle of Man, Adrian Moore said: ‘I am delighted to be able to announce that ADS has established a regional office in the Isle of Man.
‘This represents a big step forward for the promotion of the Island’s flourishing manufacturing and space sectors and will further integrate our offer as part of the overall UK proposition.
‘We have just implemented our strategy for aerospace which covers the next five years but which is underpinned by our heritage in aerospace manufacture which goes back over 60 years. Aerospace now forms a significant part of the Isle of Man’s diverse economy with employment growth of 26 per cent in the last five years and GDP contribution up 50 per cent in that period also.’
Isle of Man Department Member for Economic Development, Alex Downie, OBE, MLC said: ‘Space is becoming increasingly important to us as a sector and we are already acknowledged as a leading player in Space Commerce.
‘Having an ADS presence in the Isle of Man can only enhance our standing in both space and aerospace manufacturing.’ Speaking on behalf of ADS, Graham Chisnall, ADS deputy chief executive, said: ‘The UK’s thriving Space sector is swiftly stepping out of the shadow of its older and successful brothers Aerospace and Defence, and rightly establishing itself as a key contender in the global market.
‘Witnessing the rapid growth of the Space sector in the Isle of Man shows that the UK’s ambition to double our current five per cent global share over the next 10 years is a real and tangible target. The Isle of Man is an important part of the UK Aerospace and Space manufacturing and services sector.
‘Our new regional office will enable ADS to make sure that it receives the recognition it deserves, and we look forward to repeating the success in the Isle of Man that we have achieved in our regional offices in Scotland and Northern Ireland.’