Published: 4/24/1998

During March and April, a number of Polish aviation manufacturers were visited by a team from the Society of British Aerospace Companies. Representatives of British Aerospace, GKN Westland Helicopters, Smith Industries Aerospace Division, Lucas Aerospace and others visited Poland looking for new business opportunities. It was clear that the SBAC has realised that competitors - especially US companies - have already established strong foundations in Poland. Despite the delay in entry, the visit appears to be very promising for both sides and a number of new opportunities were identified. British Aerospace is the best established of the British companies in Poland, with its long collaboration with the Polish Airport Enterprise, under development of regional airports and, more recently, the marketing efforts associated with the Gripen and Hawk offers made to the Polish Air Force, only a few weeks ago. Julian Scobes, Vice President Europe, underlined that the Hawk might be a sensible solution, if the Government in Warsaw decides to drop the I-22 programme. Also, the British trainer will fit with the JAS-39, creating an effective system for training and front line operations. Last month, BAe offered WSK PZL-Mielec possible subcontracting on the Hawk with some 150 components available for manufacture in Poland. GKN Westland Helicopters came to explore the development of its collaboration with Mielec, under subcontract for Boeing 737s, and to see the possibility of collaboration with Swidnik. The most likely initiative is the introduction by the company to a new Light Attack Helicopter programme being discussed with a number of European NATO members. Before returning home, representatives of the helicopter manufacturer expressed an interest in establishing closer collaboration with WSK-Rzeszow, due to its manufacturing and design capabilities in engine and reduction gears. British Engineering specialises in exporting to Central and Eastern Europe non-destructive diagnostic liquids, anticorrosion coating materials as well cleaning materials. The company is well-established in Romania and Yugoslavia, and in Poland it has already found its way to the automotive industry.For Cleveland-Guest Engineering - specialists in highly precision machined parts - Rzeszow was the most promising partner and follow-on visits have already been arranged. Lucas Aerospace has been looking for opportunities to set-up joint ventures which could start production of braking elements for the civilian aviation market, as it has already started four factories working for automotive manufacturers. Apollo Metals left Rzeszow with an agreed trial programme for deliveries of its high temperature resistant materials. According to Rzeszow an offer came at the right time. Similarly, Chelton Engineering was invited to present its test equipment and the company would like to enter the Polish market, especially to have its HUMS on the Sokol multi-role helicopter. Older types like the Mi-2 might be also of interest. Smith Industries was hoping to attract Polish manufacturers with its modern avionics, however, company representatives also found the manufacturing capabilities at Mielec of interest, and some collaboration might be seen in the near future with a Polish company delivering machined and structural elements. Also Smiths would like to see its avionics displays on Sokol aircraft. (MM) (IN498.5)

Article ID: 140