BAE Systems invited to explore engineering collaboration event

Engineering company Forth will host BAE Systems, which has invited members of its supply chain to tour Forth’s base in the town to highlight some of the work already being carried out locally, and to encourage businesses to work together to realise the huge potential within the area.

Forth, which has bases in Barrow, Flimby, and Cleator Moor, is a specialist in providing bespoke engineering solutions across a range of industries and has been chosen as the host of the BAE Regional Supply Chain Network to allow like-minded businesses to share knowledge, skills, and experience.

Team members from Forth will also explain to attendees the lifecycle of a project, from idea and design through to manufacturing.

Tony Sneesby, Forth’s operations manager in Barrow, said: “We feel honoured to be able to work with such a world-renowned company like BAE Systems. To be asked to showcase what we do here for the supply chain is a real privilege.

“As an innovator in engineering solutions, we are fully aware of the importance of collaboration between SMEs like ourselves and this showcase event will promote that on a larger scale.

“We are proud to be able to deliver world-first innovations here at Forth, and to get an opportunity to share ideas and knowledge with some of the excellent businesses operating across Cumbria is something we are really looking forward to as a team.

“Building relationships with local SMEs is key to business and we are excited to forge closer links to further strengthen the county’s reputation of providing groundbreaking work which has a positive impact on industry the world over.”

Around 30 Cumbrian SMEs will attend the showcase event which aims to:

• provide a local professional network and a supportive infrastructure for effectively sharing information, experience and best practice;
• provide a forum of local, like-minded businesses which actively contributes to, and facilitates the sharing of, knowledge and experience among procurement and material management personnel;
• develop relationships between local businesses by encouraging communication and better understanding of local needs and challenges;
• promote representation, visibility and engagement of procurement and material management personnel in the local area.

Attendees will be given the opportunity to network over lunch before representatives from Forth give presentations on the lifecycle timeline of projects and how collaboration has proved beneficial.

Following the discussions, members will be given a tour of the Barrow facility and view some of the collaboration projects on display including the RESURGAM initiative which involves 13 project partners from across Europe, including Forth, working to develop a world-first underwater robot which can repair a damaged ship’s hull using friction stir welding technology from a safe, remote distance.

The BAE Regional Supply Chain Network event is by invite-only. However, Forth is opening the doors to the wider SME community with an open day scheduled to take place between 2.30pm and 4.30pm following the BAE event.