New Hampshire’s growing aerospace sector was on display last month at the Farnborough International Airshow, one of the largest industry trade shows in the world. Among the highlights this year: The debut of the F-35 Lightning II, along with nine new aircraft from Boeing, Bombardier, Gulfstream, Hondajet and Embraer.
Six companies – AQYR of Nashua; Corfin Industries of Salem; Northern Composites of Hampton; Transupport of Merrimack and US NanoSolutions of Hampton – were joined by Liquid Measurement Solutions of Georgia, Vt., at the New Hampshire pavilion. This year’s show featured more than 1,500 exhibitors from 52 countries, of which nearly three-quarters were from outside the United Kingdom.
While the latest total is still being calculated, in 2016, $124 billion in orders and commitment were placed at the air show.
U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen visited the New Hampshire pavilion at the Farnborough International Airshow last month. Photos courtesy NHBR
On the first day of the show, U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen visited the New Hampshire pavilion, which drew some great attention to the Granite State and, because of her connections, provided introductions of our businesses to key prime contractors – Boeing, Leonardo and Textron.
This is valuable currency for our companies, who are now connected with the right people to talk about procurement and getting into their supply chains.
This is the second time since 2012 New Hampshire has had a presence at this biennial air show. Since that first show, our state’s aerospace sector has seen impressive growth and increased international acumen.
We returned because of strong business connections our companies, and the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium, have forged since then, including with the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium. The relationship is providing possibilities for trade and business opportunities for Granite State companies.
The United Kingdom is the U.S.’s second largest defense market and a strong market for New Hampshire’s integrated supply chain. We make components that put planes and jets in flight. It makes sense to be there and the companies taking part in our pavilion took advantage of the opportunity to seek new markets, show commitment to customers and make connections.
International trade shows are intense, but are a great way to meet the world halfway. For New Hampshire, Farnborough has again opened doors to possibility for one of its dynamic and growing sectors.
Tina Kasim
Program Manager
Office of International Commerce