Aerospace professionals from across the globe are in Groton this week, as local supply chain companies get an opportunity to network with overseas counterparts and with big U.S. defense companies.
More than 15 different nations are represented this year at the Aerospace and Defense International Trade Summit in Groton, an expansion from last year’s inaugural event.
Sergio Loureiro is in charge of supply chain relationships for East Hartford based Pratt and Whitney, and was Monday's keynote speaker.
"It takes really more than a village to actually deliver a jet engine," Loureiro said. "A lot of these companies are now very connected. They may have a local outfit, but maybe another portion of that network may reside in another country. So it’s absolutely essential that we have a very clear flow of information across the whole supply base."
That supply base is being challenged as never before as commercial aerospace demands ramp up and big companies like Pratt, GE, and Rolls Royce demand more efficiency and more investment from their small suppliers.
Chris DiPentima runs Pegasus Manufacturing in Middletown, making parts like fuel lines and air lines for jet engines. He said that for him, the summit is a huge time saver.
"The opportunity to come and hear many of the primes, Boeing, Airbus obviously, as well as Rolls Royce and Pratt and Whitney in one format," DiPentima said. "Where normally we would be traveling across the country to visit each of those primes, to hear their message about what’s going on in the future, their forecast for their supply chain -- so it really kind of is a one stop shop package."
Peter Huis in 't Veld is a business development manager for Netherlands Industries for Defense and Security. For him, it’s all about mutual benefit.
"I’ve brought about seven companies," he told WNPR. "They are aiming to work together with the local industry here. They’d like to bring business in Connecticut, invite them to come over to the Netherlands, to have the gateway to Europe for them, so we can create more business together. A win-win situation for both sides."
The summit continues Tuesday.
