The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has announced the latest winners of its Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI). Of the 20 supply chain projects from around the UK to benefit, eight are in the aerospace sector and look set to receive £18.3 million in grants and loans.

The AMSCI was launched by the Government in 2013 as a way to encourage growth and jobs.

Triumph Actuation Systems, based in Gloucestershire, will be receiving a grant of £1.8 million as part of a £9.9 million project they are leading with Group HES. This project will develop the next generation of aerospace components using state-of-the-art production equipment in a purpose-built facility, creating up to 56 jobs and safeguarding 117 jobs.

Aircelle, based in Burnley, will be receiving a grant of £4.6 million as part of a £12.3 million project they are leading with Composites Integration and the University of Nottingham. This project will create a UK nacelle structure centre of excellence at Burnley. It will create up to 26 jobs and safeguard 449 jobs.

Impression Technologies Ltd based in Solihull will be receiving a £650,000 grant and £1.4 million loan as part of a £5.4 million project they are leading with PAB Coventry Ltd. This project will bring a new UK developed and patented technology to production, enabling the manufacturing of high-strength, complex aluminium panels suitable for automotive, aerospace and rail components. It will create up to 44 jobs and safeguard 15 jobs.

Rockwell Collins Ltd, based in Reading, will be receiving a £2.4 million grant as part of a £10.1 million project they are leading with University of Nottingham and Forsburg Services Ltd. The project will ensure that new GPS products for the defence sector are developed in the UK rather than overseas. It will create up to 25 jobs and safeguard 71 jobs.

AC Marine & Composites Ltd, based in Hampshire, will be receiving a £450k grant and £1.1 million loan as part of a £2.3 million project they are leading with the National Composites Centre. This project will enable the large volume production of composite turbine blades in England. It will create up to 53 jobs and safeguard 4 jobs.

Oxsensis Ltd, based in Oxford, will be receiving a £1.2 million grant and £1 million loan as part of a £3.2 million project they are leading with Parker Hannafin Manufacturing Ltd and Optek Ltd. This project will build a UK supply chain in optical sensor systems for the aerospace sector. It will create up to 52 jobs and safeguard 18 jobs.

Sigma Precision Components UK Ltd, based in Leicestershire, will be receiving a £300,000 loan and £700,000 grant as part of a £1.6 million project they are leading with University of Manchester. The project will improve the performance and competitiveness of composite drive shafts used in the aerospace and automotive sectors. It will create up to 39 jobs and safeguard 4 jobs.

LPW, based in Runcorn, will be receiving a £4.2 million grant and £1 million loan as part of a £13.2 million project they are leading with TWI. The project will develop new clean powders for additive manufacturing and undertake a programme of targeted knowledge sharing and training. It will create up to 137 jobs and safeguard 20 jobs.

Paul Everitt, chief executive of ADS says: “Congratulations to all of the organisations who have been successful in winning a share of this funding. The AMSCI demonstrates the importance of investing in long-term growth as well as the value of industrial strategies in supporting innovation. With an annual turnover of £28billion, and well-paid employment for thousands of people across the country, aerospace is a UK success story. The projects that will benefit from this funding are exciting and highly innovative, something that is vital for strengthening our competitive advantage and growing the sector.”