June 22nd, 2009 by Eric Voyles

The activity at the Rockford booth was greater than I ever imagined!

I really did not know what to expect.  And I certainly never expected the level of interest that we experienced.

Rockford first set its sights on aerospace no more than three years ago when in 2006 the Carter*Burgess (now Jacobs Engineering) targeted industry report came back and identified aerospace manufacturing and R&D industry as a potential industry to target for expansion and attraction.

In 2007 Winnebago County did a more comprehensive study of the immediate cluster of aerospace companies within the Rockford Metro Suburban Area.  This study revealed a rather large concentration of 90 aerospace and aviation companies in the immediate Rockford area.

Companies included those engaged in Power Management and distribution, R&D and prototype development, manufacturing of component parts for a diverse number of sub-assembly’s, logistics, and large amount of maintenance and repair operations.

In 2008 RAEDC began discussions with several of its largest investors in the aerospace industry to determine if developing a cluster strategy would make sense for the region.

It was due to and through these conversations that RAEDC received help from SupplyCore to determine that there was an even larger group than thought. In fact, 130 aerospace suppliers existed in the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area.

This aerospace group encouraged RAEDC to attend the Paris Air Show and determine if there was room for Rockford on the global aerospace stage.

I really did not know what to expect.  I never expected to come back with 33 business cards received in conversations at the booth, or in meetings with entities wanting to know more about Rockford.  I never expected the level of interest that we experienced.

I will be presenting our results to key RAEDC volunteers and local aerospace leaders, but I now expect that they will encourage RAEDC to continue our efforts.

I will also expect this will include participation at the Farnborough International Airshow next year from July 19 – 25, 2010 in Farnborough England, asking for DCEO to partner with RAEDC again, working to get more Rockford area companies to attend that air show and then inviting several new leads and prospective clients to come and visit Rockford.

Here is what I found interesting. As I looked around the show I found that the size of our cluster here in greater Rockford region, in total companies, was comparable to several other very well known US locations and several regions in countries that were presenting aerospace for attraction.

WOW!!!  We definitely have something here to crow about in the Rockford region!

I hope that Clinkenbeard and Leading Edge Hydraulics each got what they wanted out of the show.  I believe they did.

I know that while I was in the booth one of Clinkenbeard’s clients came by to introduce himself to Reg Gustafson, Project Manager for Clinkenbeard, and to thank them for quality work on a rebuild of a part for a WWII War Bird. I witnessed another potential client step up and ask about quoting a piece of work.

As I was busy outside in meetings, and in the booth so infrequently, I am sure that other such conversations occurred.

Leading Edge Hydraulics attended the Paris Air Show to research the potential of entering the aerospace market with their products.  My understanding from Russ Dennis, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Leading Edge Hydraulics, is that they came away being favorably impressed as to the potential.

In addition, we were able to publicly announce that Kaney Aerospace was the finalist for a prototype development opportunity for an Australian company, Tigerfish.  We were able to distribute information on Kaney Aerospace to at least one other entity specifically related to their composite capabilities.

Other entities whose information was distributed included: Ingenium, Balanced IT, Emery Air, Chicago Rockford International Airport, Greater Rockford Airport Authority, Northern Illinois University, Rockford College, Rock Valley College, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and Ingersoll Machine Tool.

# # #

With Thanks to Special Guest Author

Eric Voyles, VP
RAEDC
+1-815-987-8118

http://www.rockfordil.com/

June 21st, 2009 by Sharon Stead Galantino

Rockford has definitely taken flight and continues to spread its wings and gain altitude as a result of the recent Paris Air Show.

Rockford Area Economic Development Council’s initiative to contact Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity resulted in sponsorship and private/public support to exhibit and attend the Paris Air Show at the historic 100 year anniversary of Le Bourget Airport in Paris.

Our mission: To inform the world’s aerospace industry that the Rockford Region is a very strong contender as an ideal local for foreign companies seeking a US location for their operations in North America.

Rockford’s impressive  “Aerospace Cluster” was up till now lesser known to the likes of European aerospace suppliers. Raising their profile at the Paris Air show is step one in their long term strategy to be a center of excellence in aerospace.

This was a great experience giving Rockford and the entire State of Illinois great exposure. We certainly raised our profile to the industry.

The Illinois Office of Trade and Investment’s office in Brussels had the pleasure of working with Eric Voyles, VP for Rockford, Russ Dennis, Jr of Leading Edge Hydraulics and Ron Gustafson, Jr of Clinkenbeard who were all working hard from Rockford’s booth to promote the Rockford region and products.

It is in Rockford’s, as well as in Illinois’, best interest to keep up the momentum that has been gained at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget France by having Rockford take off and fly high at the Farnborough International Airshow held next year on July 19 – 25 in Farnborough England.

The Paris Air Show and Farnborough International Airshow, 40 miles southwest of London, England, alternate venues annually.