PARIS, 18 June 2013. Northern New England’s aerospace and defense sectors are represented at the International Paris Air Show, which marks its 50th year as the world’s oldest and largest trade show connecting military and civilian aircraft manufacturers, suppliers, and potential customers.
Twelve companies from Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine are part of the Best of New England booth at the U.S. Pavilion. As three of the smallest states taking part, combining resources allows northern New England to have a presence at an iconic international event.
In all, 34 states will be represented at the show, which is held every other year. The Best of New England booth is made possible through the State Trade Export Promotion program, funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
“Aerospace and defense are two fast-growing sectors in New Hampshire, fueled by demand for U.S.-made parts and components around the world,” says Christopher Way, interim director of the state’s Division of Economic Development. “These five companies will be able to make a lot of global connections in Paris, which will help them to grow, diversify and, ultimately, provide new jobs.”
The Granite State companies are all members of the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium, which was launched in March, one of the only export consortia in the U.S.
"Over the past three months, the membership has grown and is working together on several fronts, combining their knowledge and expertise with a goal of collectively increasing their exports," adds Tina Kasim, program manager for the New Hampshire International Trade Resource Center. "Being able to meet with decision-makers at aero and defense companies from around the globe is an extraordinary opportunity – the kind that small companies typically don’t have the resources to pursue.”
Chris Carrigan, vice president of business development for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, called the two sectors “key economic drivers” of the state’s economy and in line with the mission of the Vermont Chamber’s Aerospace and Aviation Association. “By connecting its members with new suppliers and customers through matchmaking efforts, participating in international events like the Paris Air Show, provide access to new resources, businesses and supply chain opportunities,” he says, “which propels Vermont’s economy forward.”
"Many nations provide significant resources to their companies that export, so it is exciting to have the opportunity to work in collaboration with private companies, the SBA, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and other New England states to provide global visibility to our aerospace companies," says Brent Raymond, director of the Vermont Global Trade Partnership.
The companies attending:
From New Hampshire: Corfin Industries of Salem; New England Wire Technologies of Lisbon; RdF Corp. of Hudson; Tech Resources Inc. of Milford and Transupport of Merrimack.
From Vermont: AeroParts Plus of South Burlington; Concepts NREC of White River Junction; Liquid Measurement Systems of Georgia; Metal-Flex Welded Bellows of Derby; North Hartland Tool Corp., of North Hartland and TeamITAR of Derby.
D&G Machine Products of Westbrook, Maine, rounds out the participants.
