As the UK’s leading tourism destination, many people around the world only know Cornwall for its beauty and heritage. But one of its best-kept secrets is the many successful businesses it boasts. Thanks to its ample resources and variety of landscape, Cornwall has become the obvious location for many key industries, including technology, medical, marine, food and drink, renewables, and aerospace.

Cornwall’s Aerospace industry is ready for take-off. Whether it is providing a testbed for exciting new technologies such as the Supersonic Bloodhound rocket car, acting as a launch pad for Unmanned Aerial Systems, or providing expertise in aerospace engineering, Cornwall is set to be the most attractive location for aerospace business in Europe.

ON THE GROUND

The UK Aerospace sector is one of the largest in the world. With 20,000 new passenger aircraft set to be manufactured in the next 10 years, it is seeing rapid growth in the civil sector. It employs 230,000 people in the UK and 75 percent of UK Aerospace output is exported.

In the South West, which includes Cornwall, the Aerospace sector is growing. With an estimated annual turnover of $16.5 billion, it provides 400,000 jobs across the South, including 3,700 sector and related jobs in Cornwall.

With a significant number of Aerospace assets, Cornwall has recently joined the high fliers as part of the UK and global Aerospace supply chains. High-profile facilities such as the Aerohub Enterprise Zone at Newquay Cornwall Airport, and Culdrose Naval Air Station, teamed with a burgeoning involvement in Unmanned Air Systems (in partnership with West Wales Airport), uncrowded airspace and expanding marine and advanced engineering sectors give wings to Cornwall’s ambitions in the industry.

AEROHUB AT NEWQUAY CORNWALL AIRPORT

Time for Take-Off
One of the most exciting opportunities in Cornwall is the creation of the Aerohub Enterprise Zone located at Newquay Cornwall Airport. Enterprise Zones are a UK Government flagship initiative to support business growth in selected areas around the UK, and Aerohub focuses specifically on decreasing barriers for aerospace businesses.

Companies located at the Aerohub Enterprise Zone benefit from 100 percent tax breaks, research and development tax credits, significant planning freedoms and an unparalleled source of funding packages, through European funding programs and UK government Regional Growth Funds.

In addition, Aerohub is found at the newest airport in the UK, Newquay Cornwall Airport. The airport boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, and recently upgraded aprons and taxiways. The excellent aviation environment offers your aerospace company one of the best locations in Europe to develop and grow your business.

The only place in Europe that can enable the flying of unmanned systems

Development Opportunities
In addition to the existing infrastructure at the airport, Aerohub is home to one of the largest development sites in the UK. As regional airports across the EU reach capacity, the space and development land available at Aerohub make it hard to beat.

Aerohub extends to 650 acres and a major Business Park, which could accommodate over 2 million square feet of hangar space, offices and manufacturing, as well as 5,000 jobs.

The site is split into two definitive areas: Airside and the Business Park:

Airside
Airside covers direct aerospace activities. Hangars can be built to meet your requirements.

Current tenants include: AgustaWestland, Bristow Helicopter Group, British International Helicopters, Skybus, and Classic Airforce Trust

Business Park
The 87 acre Business Park Development has 53 acres set to be fully serviced by the end of 2014, with plots available now and being introduced to the market. Companies located at the business park will include aerospace supply chain, renewable energy, ITC, advanced manufacturing and engineering.

Both of these development sites have unrestricted planning freedom, which allows for premises to be built quickly and efficiently, decreasing the risk, time and costs associated with planning regulations.

SKILLS

Leading the Way
Due to its engineering heritage, Cornwall has a well-educated labor force, working at competitive engineers’ salaries. With a higher proportion of its workforce educated to degree level or above than many regional cities across Europe, many highly skilled professionals offer expertise in aircraft engineering, vital flying and maintenance skills.

The Cornwall Institute for Advanced Technologies (CIAT), launched at the Farnborough Airshow in July 2014, focuses on the development of the skills needed to meet the demands of future technologies. These include aerospace engineering, composites, robotics, and additive layering.

In addition, Cornwall’s wider industrial heritage provides an invaluable broad skills base in shipbuilding and marine engineering – providing relevant, readily transferable expertise for the aerospace sector. Further strengths include IT, military technologies and product design – all at lower than average labor costs.

CORNWALL

With a further $740 million program of EU ‘Convergence’ investment now beginning to take effect, and through the completion of a number of major transport, workspace and infrastructure projects, rising skill levels and increased business funding and support, Cornwall is being recognized as a strong and sustainable knowledge-based economy – and an outstanding investment opportunity.

With miles of countryside, coastline and beaches, Cornwall continues to captivate both UK and international visitors. Add to that the gourmet restaurants, celebrity chefs, cultural assets and luxurious hotels and you will see why visitors enjoy Cornwall’s huge diversity and choice of experience. Regularly voted the UK’s #1 holiday destination, Cornwall also often ranks as one of the best places to live in the UK.

The combination of natural beauty and thriving industry can promote a great work/life balance, which is ideal for a productive workforce and a further asset in helping to ensure your business success.