AEROTRENDS 2024: key event for the Aerospace Value Chain in the face of the challenges facing the Sector

AeroTrends is consolidated as a key event to know the trends of the Aeronautical and Space Sector

The Bizkaia Aretoa of the UPV/EHU in Bilbao hosted on Wednesday 30 October, the AeroTrends 2024 Congress, the 10th edition organised by the Aeronautics and Space Cluster of the Basque Country – HEGAN on trends in the Aerospace Sector.

The Congress was opened by the President of the Association-Cluster, Ricardo CHOCARRO, CEO of AERNNOVA, and the Deputy Minister of Industry of the Basque Government, Andoitz KORTA, who gave way to the presentations on Market Segments of interest: Emerging Niches, Diversification Opportunities, Access to Markets/Customers and Excellence in the Value Chain.

The conference provided keys to increase the competitiveness of the industry, gave clues to better understand the market we have before us and established guidelines for a more sustainable, efficient and respectful sector. In the words of the President, in his opening speech: ‘We have an important challenge ahead of us and we must turn it into a collective illusion. An illusion that must have the support of everyone, institutional support that will help us to grow and become stronger; and support from technology centres and universities for the essential technological development. Being prepared means having an excellent, diversified, competitive and capable Value Chain that is the basis for our sustained growth’.

After the inauguration, where the Deputy Minister of Industry of the Department of Industry, Energy Transition and Sustainability of the Eusko Jaurlaritza/Basque Government emphasised the role of our Sector, which helps to develop advanced, egalitarian and wealth-sharing societies, and the constant support that the EJ/GV gives us, an intense morning began, in which digitalisation and sustainability in the Supply Chain, the dual market and its tractor effect, and opportunities in the Space segment were discussed in front of the hundred or so people registered for the Congress.

AERNNOVA talked about their sustainable procurement strategy; a strategy that makes them grow with their suppliers in a journey; one that requires an effort from all but ensures a common sustainable future.

The AIRBUS DS vision showed all the attendees its Purpose and its four strategic pillars where an excellent Supply Chain plays a key role of collaboration and transparency in the achievement of the OEM’s own objectives.

And, within this Programme, ITP AERO, did the same as Main Partner of the Engine Pillar and the tractor effect that is already spreading, developing very demanding technologies with a high level of innovation that will be used not only for this Programme, but also to include them in future designs that will continue to drive its Supply Chain.

Finally, SENER explained the rapid evolution that this segment has undergone in recent years with the emergence of new players other than the traditional ones; and the windows of opportunity that are opening up in components, manufacturing and industrialisation.

The Day ended with an Elevator-pitch session where a series of HEGAN Partners presented their organisations to the AeroTrends audience: their projects, their needs, their technologies, their capabilities… With a maximum duration of 6 minutes, we were able to get a more complete picture of what the Aeronautics and Space Cluster of the Basque Country – HEGAN stands for.

With an upturn in general activity, in a complex environment and with a deficit in aircraft manufacturing due to the problems caused by these significant ramp-ups, and with the lack of supply together with cost increases, greater competitive efforts are required from all of us. We are confident that these handicaps will become an opportunity for those who have the industrial capacity and have done things right in everything related to Talent, Innovation and Digitalisation.

Finally, in addition to the messages conveyed, the Director of HEGAN, Ana VILLATE, wanted to thank all the entities that are making possible the development of the Aerospace sector, as a generator of value and wealth in Society, of quality employment and of cohesion and equal opportunities.

The special sensitivity that the SMEs that make up the industrial ecosystem, vital for the supply of components, processes, services… deserve was also commented on at this conference, in order to convert the Supply Chain into an excellent Value Chain with a future: ‘Our objective must be to develop a Value Chain with a sustainable product and process; and to generate growth and value for the Partners, the Cluster, the Sector and Society’.