In another significant step towards making the Western Sydney Aerotropolis a global leader in aerospace and advanced manufacturing, the NSW Government has signed a letter of intent with aerospace manufacturer, Quickstep.
Quickstep will work with the Western Parkland City Authority to identify synergies between their leading edge capabilities in aerospace advanced manufacturing and the planned Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF), with a view to Quickstep becoming a participant once the facility is operational.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the company is an Australian success story, which has grown from a small operation in 2001 to the largest independent composite manufacturer in the country.
“We want the Western Parkland City to be a global leader in aerospace advanced manufacturing. To achieve that we will need to work with the best in class and there is no one better than Quickstep,” Mr Ayres said.
“I have no doubt this is just the start of a long-term relationship and it will play a key role in making our vision for the Aerotropolis a reality.”
Quickstep CEO and Managing Director Mark Burgess said the opportunity to take part in the co-design of a world class advanced manufacturing facility, such as the AMRF, was too good to pass up.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Quickstep to leverage collaborative partnerships with global aerospace companies, strategic suppliers and world-renowned researchers in the context of a government-supported applied research facility,” Mr Burgess said.
“This initiative is well aligned to the NSW Government’s stated desire to develop and support advanced manufacturing in the State and fits perfectly with Quickstep’s pursuit of new business and accelerated research and development.”
Quickstep is a global provider of composite solutions to the aerospace, defence, automotive and other advanced manufacturing sectors. It joins other aerospace leaders keen to play a role in the Aerotropolis, including the Australian Space Agency (ASA), CSIRO, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems Australia, GE Additive and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.