In his new appointment, Stuart is responsible for the Collins Aerospace Interiors business unit of the operational effectiveness of all sites across the US, Mexico, Germany and UK including the Kilkeel site. The SDLP MLA has called on the Stormont Executive and Economy Minister Diane Dodds for "immediate intervention". The . The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis MP with the SOSNI is managing director, Stuart McKee and Nadine Hewitt, business unit director at Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel Most Popular 1 Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Dr Leslie Orr, ADS (NI) said: Given the recent ADS forecast on commercial passenger aircraft production rates it is great to see optimism return to the aerospace sector. It said it had taken the decision to suspend work in Kilkeel in compliance with guidance from the UK government. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. The swooning ballad features a seminal guitar solo, capping six and half minutes of rock and roll bliss. Stuart McKee, managing director of Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel. All Rights Reserved. We also manufacture components for use in the assembly of seats. "We have made the extremely difficult, but necessary decision to commence a collective consultation process with our union and appointed staff representatives, to discuss proposals to reduce headcount and make other operational changes in Kilkeel. The company, which is part of the Chinese owned Aviation Industry Corporation, said that the decision to axe jobs in Northern Ireland was linked to the coronavirus crisis because its global customers had to delay, reduce and reschedule their orders. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. And it must be true. Its the right thing to do and we have the capability to do it, said Richard. On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. He has been part of the senior team in Kilkeel for almost 14 years. Caterpillar has said it will halt production at its Springvale facility in Belfast from April 6th through to April 24th. }); He began his career as a Production Operative on the shop floor at Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel, and then spent the next two decades working his way up through the company. Yellen warns US could run out of cash in a month, King Charles to wear golden robes for Coronation, Shooting suspect was deported four times - US media, Photo of Princess Charlotte shared as she turns 8, More than 100 police hurt in French May Day protests, Explosion derails train in Russian border region, Street piano confiscated as public 'break rules', MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, US rock band Aerosmith announce farewell tour. Company directory and business data solutions. Activity, company ), Asia-Pacific, Central Asia, Middle East, Africa, Central/East Europe, West. Collins Aerospace is an aircraft seat manufacturing plant in Kilkeel which employs about 1,000 people in NI. Unite's regional officer Kieran Ellison confirmed that his union had been informed by management of the redundancy proposals. Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel is a major employer for the area and in addition to contributing greatly to the local economy they have embarked on a recruitment drive as they prepare for future growth, hoping to grow the company to pre-pandemic levels. Courtesy Collins Aerospace Just 24 hours after the ideas genesis, the first set of scrubs were ready to be sewn together. This proved to be a success and as a result, the company established the segregation of waste plastics; the conversion of waste into pellets as a feedstock for additive manufacturing and piloting; and the validation of its 3D printing capability, achieving 72% carbon dioxide equivalent savings. Northern Irelands aerospace industry is founded on a strong entrepreneurial heritage and over the years has grown to become a global leader in aerospace technology, Mr Lyons said. $(document).ready(function(){ Official brand page of Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel, a leader in aviation and high-integrity solutions for. At last check, the group has produced more than 2,000 total scrub kits with the ability to produce 550 kits a day. During a recent visit to Collins Aerospace Kilkeel, Economy Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA and the Managing Director of Collins Aerospace, Kilkeel, Stuart McKee, both spoke about optimism for the sectors future recovery following the challenges posed by the outbreak of the pandemic. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Collins Aerospace has announced that Stuart McKee, from County Down, Northern Ireland and formerly the Managing Director at the companys Kilkeel facility, has been appointed as Senior Director of Operations, Collins Aerospace, whilst Alan Henning, (also from County Down, Northern Ireland) has been appointed as Director of Operations and Site Lead for Kilkeel. Posted 12:00:00 AM. The spokeswoman added: We remain in regular communications with our employees and contractors to inform them of the status of our operations. function initialize() { On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. }, $owl.data())); This is a very exciting time to be working in the aerospace sector from sustainability to innovation there is much to be excited about. Created in 2018 bringing together UTC Aerospace and Rockwell Collins. Kieran Ellison, regional officer of Unite the Union, described it as a "ruthless corporate decision, with little regard for staff". Collins Aerospace. Manufacture of air and spacecraft and related machinery (3030), ISIC 4 (WORLD) : Collins produces seating across the entire aircraft cabin - from main cabin, premium economy, business class and first class. let $owl = $(this); ADS Group Limited registered address is Salamanca Square, 9 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7SP and is registered in England no. "Redundancy is never easy to face but it is particularly challenging at this time when our local, national and global economies are under so much pressure from the pandemic," she said. In a statement, the company said the planned redundancies were due to Covid-19's "impact on . Manufacture of air and spacecraft and related machinery (30300), NACE Rev.2 (EU 2008) : "This is a critical step to ensuring that Collins Aerospace emerges strong once this crisis is contained". Francis Kelly Interim VP and MD. Demolition works at the iconic Belfast Harland & Wolff shipyard have begun, marking the start of a journey to becoming the UKs most technologically advanced shipyard, as it gears up to work on a Fleet Solid Support (FSS), The Geospatial Commission, part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) with Airbus Defence and Space, has today launched a commercial Earth Observation (EO) pilot for a number of UK public sector bodies, to. SDLP South Down MLA Sinead Bradley described the job losses as "devastating". The programme included collaboration with many leading experts across Europe, with the Kilkeel team leading the design and development of composite structures, and the industrial validation of the technology. 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From developing safer, more comfortable air travel to being a world leader in nacelle technologies, we make modern flight possible for millions of travelers and military members. As a result, the company said in a statement last night that it is currently conducting voluntary and involuntary separation plans for approximately 62 employees in Kilkeel. Collins Aerospace is an aircraft seat manufacturing plant in Kilkeel which employs about 1,000 people in NI. Skilled in. Newry Co. Down BT34 4NG. Stuart McKee, from County Down, Northern Ireland and formerly the Managing Director at the companys Kilkeel facility, has been appointed as Senior Director of Operations, Collins Aerospace, whilst Alan Henning, (also from County Down, Northern Ireland) has been appointed as Director of Operations and Site Lead for Kilkeel. All the lines are busy at the moment, please try again in a moment. General Policy for the Protection of Personal Data. He said; Im delighted to take up this role and continue to serve Collins Aerospace, my fellow colleagues and lead the company through this next period of growth. Dr Leslie Orr, of ADS(NI), said: "Northern Ireland is recognised for its commitment to developing world-class innovative technology for the aerospace sector and remains a location where there is a vibrant and rapidly growing industry. In a statement, the company said the redundancies were due to "a slower than expected recovery from the pandemic". In a statement, Collins Aerospace said it continued to "experience and forecast reduced business due to Covid-19". Manufacture of air and spacecraft and related machinery (3030). "Second to keeping people safe during Covid-19, the executive must prioritise taking immediate direct action to retain employment and actively support our economy," she added. A spokesperson for the firm said coronavirus has "forced us to take further actions to align with current and future business demands in an evolving environment". The scrub kits, consisting of a top, bottom and cap, are cut and then sewn together before being sent to the NHS for distribution. New Site lead at Kilkeel and Managing Director, Alan Henning, will be responsible for the 800 employees who are based at the Kilkeel site. The kits, each of which consists of a top, bottom and cap, are then collected at the furnishings company and sent to the National Health Service to distribute to healthcare systems and providers throughout the region. It was a pleasure to see first-hand those skills in action whilst visiting the team at Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel and the range of seating it manufactures to an excellent standard for many of the larger OEMs. All Rights Reserved. Richard jumped off the sofa and into action. Congratulations to both." "These actions are not taken lightly and are critical as we remain committed to ensure the long-term success of our business and the viability of our Kilkeel site.". This will be a major concern for the Norths aerospace sector which contributes more than 1.9 billion (2.16 billion) to the Northern Ireland economy. Video, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, Shooting suspect was deported four times - US media, Yellen warns US could run out of cash in a month, Photo of Princess Charlotte shared as she turns 8, King Charles to wear golden robes for Coronation, More than 100 police hurt in French May Day protests, Disney faces countersuit in feud with Florida, Explosion derails train in Russian border region, NFL player's daughter, aged two, drowns in pool. While waste from thermoformed plastic sheets is often discarded, Kilkeels operations modernisation team explored the feasibility of using additive manufacturing across the whole production site, using plastic waste as feedstock to 3D print non-critical manufacturing jigs and fixtures. ", Almost a quarter of jobs to go at aerospace plant, More than 20,000 Russians dead in Bakhmut, US says, France May Day protests leave dozens of police injured, 'Fighter jets are roaring over my home in Sudan', 'My wife and six children joined Kenya starvation cult', On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. Kilkeel, Kilkeel, BT34 4NG and Unit 3, The Inner Basin, The Harbour, Kilkeel, County Down, Northern Ireland, BT34 4AX. Our core business is the assembly of seating for commercial aircrafts ranging from economy to business and first-class options. As well as the 800 staff, hundreds more people are employed in the supply. SDLP South Down MLA Sinead Bradley described it as a "devastating blow" to the local economy. Kilkeel-based Collins Aerospace plans to lay off 235 of its 945-strong workforce in November as the Covid-led downturn continues to impact on demand for its products. We are ranked among the largest and most successful companies in Northern Ireland and are one of the leading aircraft interior manufacturers globally. The company is renowned for its innovative seating solutions, for a range of commercial aircraft, as well as its state-of-the-art designs, quality of construction, lightweight comfort, functionality and safety. zoom: 12, It delivers innovative product solutions to most of the worlds major airlines, including British Airways, Etihad, Finnair, Air France and KLM. Im optimistic about the future of aerospace and the part that we, here in Kilkeel, can play. Recent announcements have seen the Meridian main class seating in Air Frances A220, which is the widest in the market and includes thoughtful amenities to improve customers flying experience with an advanced ergonomic design that builds on Meridians industry leading seat. The views expressed are not necessarily those of ADS or its members. (function($){ In June 2019, he was appointed Managing Director of the facility, just eight months before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our teams expertise is unrivalled and thats why we continue to attract a high calibre of engineers and talent. Can a TU advance my career like a traditional university can? 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You can find out more and learn how to manage cookies by clicking the 'More Info' link. Collins Aerospace is an aircraft seat manufacturing plant in Kilkeel that employs over 948 people. Commenting on his new appointment, Stuart McKee said, It is privilege to take up this appointment and lead Collins Aerospace Aircraft Seating Operations. Collins Aerospace is a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of aircraft cabin interiors. As part of the companys commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, it has implemented a range of industry 4.0 processes including the creation of a complete circular economy for plastic waste from its manufacturing processes. Speaking during the recent visit of Economy Minister Gordon Lyons to the local factory, Mr McKee said it is hoped to grow the company again to pre-pandemic levels. You can read more about these cookies and tools by clicking on the gray button. With more than 800 employees, the Kilkeel site is not only the largest seating manufacturing facility with Collins Aerospace but one of the largest in the world. Collins Aerospace has been situated on this site in Kilkeel since 1966, Mr McKee added. * This phone number available for 3 min is not the recipients number but a number from a service which will put you through to that person. "The sector is founded on a strong engineering heritage and backed by integral manufacturing capabilities, skills and experience. Hundreds of jobs were also lost at Bombardier and Thompson Aero Seating. A FURTHER 62 jobs are set to be lost at Kilkeel-based Collins Aerospace. The industry has long been one of the key drivers of our economy and is rich in knowledge, skills and experience. Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel 2 Moor Road Is climate change killing Australian wine? It was a pleasure to see first-hand those skills in action whilst visiting the team at Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel and the range of seating it manufactures to an excellent standard for many of the larger OEMs. 206 talking about this. * This number, only available 3 minutes, is not your correspondants number but the number of a service putting you through to that person. A FURTHER 62 jobs are set to be lost at Kilkeel-based Collins Aerospace. "Many of these staff have given long service to this very employer," he said. The team in Kilkeel at Collins Aerospace and their achievements over the years only reinforces and highlights that Northern Ireland is a leading region in the United Kingdom for seating manufacturing. center: new google.maps.LatLng(54.0683937072753900, -5.9900665283203125), Collins Aerospace recognised for commitment to employees The Kilkeel firm crowned winner of Best Employee Voice Initiative, highly commended in the Best Hybrid and Flexible Working Initiative. Stuart McKee (right), formerly Managing Director at the companys Kilkeel facility, becomes Senior Director of Operations, Collins Aerospace, whilst Alan Henning (left), has been appointed as Director of Operations and Site Lead for Kilkeel. There are two sewing machines on-site in Kilkeel with people stitching the kits together as they come off the line. Send Email. Collins Aerospace, which employs 1,000 people in the North, has suspended all of its operations in Kilkeel and placed 50 per cent of its workers on "paid leave" while the remainder work from home. I look forward to driving forward the contribution we make not just to the local economy but to our local community. The company, whose core business is the manufacture of aircraft seats and seating components, said that its first priority during the coronavirus crisis was the health and safety of its employees, contractors and visitors. In his new role he will continue to prepare Collins Aerospace for future growth. The group thought fabric cutters that cut composite components used to manufacture seating elements would be perfect for cutting scrub kits that could later be sewn together. He went on to drive the company through the pandemic and then prepare the organisation for future growth. The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic hit the sector particularly hard, as global travel reduced dramatically. Read about our approach to external linking. He described the job cuts as a "hammer blow to the local economy", which "will mean uncertainty for many other workers and small businesses dependent on these jobs for a livelihood". loop:true, What we didnt anticipate was the onset of the global pandemic. . Read about our approach to external linking. autoplay:true, Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Collins . ADS, the UK industry group which represents businesses that operate in the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors, has warned that many companies will face significant challenges because of Covid-19. Having right-sized the business during the pandemic, we are now ready for future growth. For over five decades, Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel has been making a significant contribution to the regions thriving aerospace sector, and with the recent introduction of a range of innovative processes, the companys growth is expected to continue. Northern Ireland Business First 2011 - 2023. KOMPASS, Six months on from that statement in May, Stuart McKee, Managing Director of Collins Aerospace, Kilkeel, has said the company is now ready for future growth. 7016635. VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes. Alan has been with the company for 20 years, serving in several roles including Engineering, Composites, EH&S, Facilities, Operational Excellence and Strategy. By continuing to use our services from May 25, 2018, you acknowledge and agree to our updated Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. Home Other Articles Economy Minister Visits Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel. We hope to grow the company again to pre-pandemic levels and we know that this will have a positive effect on the supply chain too. The team in Kilkeel at Collins Aerospace and their achievements over the years only reinforces and highlights that Northern Ireland is a leading region in the United Kingdom for seating manufacturing. Richard McBride, associate site director, Kilkeel, was home sitting on the couch when his wife, scrolling Facebook, noticed posts mentioning the massive scrub shortage Northern Ireland was facing. One such process includes the development of a new fit-for-purpose 21st century hub that will see the relocation, streamlining and centralisation of the companys entire logistics department, which was spread across 13 warehouses, into one location. Kilkeel Aerospace factory is now ready for future growth, FUNERAL OF DROMARA MOUNTAINEER TO TAKE PLACE THIS WEEKEND, COMMUNITY ORCHARD TARGETED BY MINDLESS VANDALS, KNIT AND NATTER GROUP CELEBRATE NEWEST PROJECT. It believes that the direct impact of coronavirus on aircraft orders and deliveries will start to be seen this month and year-on-year comparisons will show the impact of the global pandemic. Collins Aerospace is an aircraft seat manufacturing plant in Kilkeel which employs about 1,000 people in NI. In 2019, the company began the task of completely redesigning all processes within its logistics department, which included the relocation of over 35,000 part numbers and 120 team members to this new location known as The Hub. The whole process happened fast. Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel is a major employer for the area and in addition to contributing greatly to the local economy, the company is committed to the development and promotion of its employees. And sure enough, Father Time has not waited. ADS is the Premier Trade Organisation for companies in the UK Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space sectors. {"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Organization","name":"Collins Aerospace","url":"http:\/\/www.beaerospace.com","logo":"https:\/\/members.adsgroup.org.uk\/\/images\/profile\/web\/4724\/Collins Aerospace.png","description":"BE Aerospace is the worlds leading manufacturer of cabin interior products for commercial airlines and business jets and the worlds leading distributor of aerospace fasteners and consumables. The remainder is shared with experienced sewers in the community to complete the job. Stuart and Alan are two products of that sector and with decades of experience between them are clearly making a difference in and to this sector. }); Just like time, when the COVID-19 crisis presented a need in their community, the employees at our Kilkeel, Northern Ireland site didnt wait -- they jumped into action. . We were able to find some digital templates online and partner with a local furnishings company to get the fabric necessary to run through our machinery and get the scrub kits cut and ready to be sewn, said Richard. Philip Mackereth, Systems Engineer and Project Manager at Exobotics, considers how developing international space relations could drive Britain towards its goal of becoming a science and technology superpower. The industry has long been one of the key drivers of our economy and is rich in knowledge, skills and experience. Collins Aerospace Employee Reviews in Kilkeel Review this company Job Title All Location Kilkeel 7 reviews Ratings by category 3.6 Work-life balance 3.7 Pay & benefits 3.2 Job security & advancement 3.1 Management 3.3 Culture Sort by Helpfulness Rating Date Language Found 7 reviews matching the search See all 3,316 reviews However as always, our team approached challenges that the downturn in the industry presented as an opportunity to improve our business by making our processes leaner and removing cost. In a statement, the company said the planned redundancies were due to Covid-19's "impact on. This new role will bring new and exciting challenges and I hope to bring forward the experience I have gained in Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel in the last 25+ years in support of the global operations sites that I will be responsible for. Collins Aerospace is a Raytheon Technologies business and the largest aerospace company in the world. Recent announcements have seen the Meridian main class seating in Air Frances A220, which is the widest in the market and includes thoughtful amenities to improve customers flying experience with an advanced ergonomic design that builds on Meridians industry leading seat. Learn more Why us We support veterans At Collins Aerospace, our solutions reach new heights in the aviation world. It followed the catastrophic impact of the pandemic on the aerospace and aviation sectors globally. With sustainability at the forefront of many organisations environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies, Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel is no exception. const map = new google.maps.Map(document.getElementById("map"), { No responsibility or liability is accepted by ADS, the editorial team or the publisher for any loss occasioned to any person, legal or physical, acting or refraining from action as a result of any statement, fact, figure, expression of opinion or belief contained within this site. Kilkeel aerospace factory is now ready for future growth. Owned and operated by the American conglomerate Collins Aerospace (a Raytheon Technologies subsidiary), this Kilkeel facility is a major outpost for the company's interiors business. Telephone: +44 (0)28 4372 2666. We will continue to look at innovative ways to support our customers and the needs of the sector going forward.. }); Collins Aerospace, which is part of Connecticut headquartered United Technologies Corporation, is one of the North's largest manufacturers. VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes. The data we collect is only what is necessary for the proper use of our service. "Collins Aerospace has been situated on this site in Kilkeel since 1966," Mr McKee added. The Managing Director of Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel has said he is optimistic about the role the local manufacturing plant can play in the future of the aerospace sector. Dr Leslie Orr, ADS(NI) said: "I'm delighted to see these two key appointments at Collins Aerospace. After all, The Rolling Stones devoted an entire song to the phrase in '74, near the peak of their influence and stardom. And time waits for no one, and it wont wait for me.. A spokesperson for Collins Aerospace said that the plant "is currently facing a slower than expected recovery from the pandemic".