Opportunities in defence sector highlighted at Telford event
Dozens of business owners from across the region came together in Telford to look at opportunities for export in the defence and security sectors.
The UK Trade & Investment Event was held at BAE Systems' factory in Hadley Park, and saw high-level specialists from the world of exports look at how companies can move into new defence markets.
UKTI's senior security adviser Simon Everest said: "This is about reaching out to the UK defence and security industry at SME level, helping to understand a bit more about the current opportunities.
"It's a chance for them to speak to BAE, and find out a little more about what the government can do for them.
"There are opportunities all over the country. The defence industry in the UK may be concentrated on one or two areas but an increasing amount of work is being done to bring together defence and civil applications."
The event also focused on the security sector, and cyber security.
Shropshire companies were among those attending the event, along with a Scimitar and a Challenger tank on BAE's factory floor.
Mike Tickner, of Newport-based HCI Systems which makes electrical harnesses for motorsport vehicles, said: "The technology in defence is identical to motorsport, and this is exactly my background.
"It's a natural crossover from motorsport into the military side."
Simon Mapp, of Bridgnorth-based fuel additives supplier Verdaxis, added: "However good a vehicle is, if the fuel that goes into it is low quality the vehicle can be disabled.
"If it won't start or the injectors get damaged by water contamination the vehicle is disabled.
"I think there's potential for us to really help ensure availability of vehicles."
The event heard from a variety of speakers who told companies about the areas of industry which could provide growth opportunities, and how to access support for entering overseas markets.
