Dec 07. BAE Systems and VT Group are poised to sign a ground-breaking joint-venture agreement to merge their shipyards into a national champion. The new entity, to be called BVT Surface Fleet Ltd, will be the largest shipbuilder in the UK. Industry sources said the agreement could be signed in the next week. The deal, which still requires approval from VT’s shareholders, will combine VT’s Portsmouth yard and BAE’s yards at Govan and Scotstoun on the Clyde. BVT will become the Government’s strategic partner for the design, manufacture and support of future warships through a 15-year partnering agreement. Signature of the joint venture will lead to the Ministry of Defence placing a manufacturing contract for two new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy. The ships will be assembled at Babcock’s shipyard in Rosyth, in Fife. Under the latest design proposals for the aircraft carriers, vessels will displace up to 65,000 tonnes and measure 920ft in length with flight decks up to 242ft wide Some 40 per cent of the work for the ships will be put out for competitive tendering. The rest has already been allocated to major players in the project.
17 Dec 07. The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) has today announced the signing of a ground-breaking agreement with the Supplier Excellence Alliance of the US. The new agreement will lead to closer co-ordination and collaboration between the two organisations to improve competitiveness at every level of the global aerospace, defence and space supply chain. Ian Godden, SBAC Chief Executive said, “This agreement will help to create stronger links between the supply chains operating on both sides of the Atlantic and help companies meet the increasing challenges of global competition. Common approaches and criteria adopted in the UK and US will make life a lot easier for all companies working in these important markets” Michael G Beason, SEA Board Chairman comented, “This partnership with SBAC is an important step in helping SEA members follow their global supply chains.”