Business

Aerospace firm JW Kane flying high after Safran nacelles deal

Announcing the JW Kane Precision Engineering deal with Safran are (from left) Joel Best (business development manager) and Danny Close (technical director) at JW Kane, with Richard Mallinson (Safran) and Alastair Hamilton (Invest NI)
Announcing the JW Kane Precision Engineering deal with Safran are (from left) Joel Best (business development manager) and Danny Close (technical director) at JW Kane, with Richard Mallinson (Safran) and Alastair Hamilton (Invest NI) Announcing the JW Kane Precision Engineering deal with Safran are (from left) Joel Best (business development manager) and Danny Close (technical director) at JW Kane, with Richard Mallinson (Safran) and Alastair Hamilton (Invest NI)

PORTADOWN-based aerospace company JW Kane Precision Engineering has secured a what has been described as a "significant package of work" with Safran, the world’s second largest manufacturer of aircraft engine nacelles.

The deal, signed at this year's Paris Air Show, will see the company supply large machined parts for use on the Airbus A330 Neo engine nacelles.

And the firm's managing director Damian McArdle said it marks "an exciting new phase" in the growth of the business.

He added: “The investments we have made to enhance our engineering and business processes, in order to undertake aerospace machining and supply chain management activity, are now bearing fruit.

“Invest NI has been a key partner in helping us expand our customer base in export markets and we hope this deal will not only highlight our ability to provide a competitive service to the aerospace industry but leverage valuable new business.”

Alastair Hamilton, chief executive of Invest NI, said: “JW Kane invests significant time and effort profiling its engineering expertise on the global aerospace stage and winning this deal is the positive outworking of its dynamic approach to innovation and exporting.

“We work very closely with the company to support its efforts to win new international business and has provided advice and financial support to enhance its capabilities and establish its reputation within the global aerospace supply chain."

He added: “Regularly exhibiting on the Northern Ireland stand at trade shows including Paris Air Show, Farnborough Air Show and Aeromart Toulouse has enabled JW Kane to showcase its capabilities and cultivate relationships with new international customers such as Safran.”

Richard Mallinson, head of purchasing for Safran Nacelles in the UK, added: “We're excited to be working with JW Kane on this important project and have been impressed with the ‘can do’ culture of the company and its ability to achieve the deadlines they have committed to.”