MRO Europe: Lynn’s top three highlights
This October (2023), STG joined the Welsh Government and Aerospace Wales Forum in Amsterdam for the industry conference and exhibition, MRO Europe.
MRO Europe is one of the largest aviation event in the region and it provides an opportunity for global aerospace leaders to connect on an international stage. This year, there were 450 exhibitors from around the world representing all levels of the airline supply chain, and over 9,000 attendees including airlines, OEMs, suppliers, and industry experts. All attended to discuss their product offerings and collaborate on industry ideas and prospects.
As a Wales-based company, we’re excited about Wales becoming an important hub for aviation innovation in the UK and Europe as a whole, and this was clearly evident at MRO Europe. Although the country makes up just five per cent of the UK population, it accounts for 10 per cent of the UK aerospace industry and 20 per cent of the UK MRO market, according to Aerospace Wales Forum figures. Employing over 23,000 people across the country, the Welsh aerospace industry is now being recognised as a centre of excellence for aerospace manufacturing.
STG was represented at the show by Lynn Benham, our EMEA Business Development Manager, on the Welsh Government stand. Lynn spoke with other industry experts about STG’s product offering as a leader in aerospace emergency exit floor path marking and cabin lighting systems. While it was an exciting event packed full of interesting insights, she has managed to narrow down her top three highlights from MRO Europe.
The buzz
It is exciting to attend any industry event, and for Lynn, being surrounded by other industry experts and delegates is part of what makes MRO Europe such an important event to be a part of.
With over 9,000 attendees from all parts of the aerospace industry and many other stakeholders, she said “The atmosphere was buzzing with ideas for the future and potential partnerships and business collaboration”.
For Lynn, having attended the event in previous years, she believed this year’s MRO Europe was particularly thrilling!
Being part of the Welsh Government stand
Whilst STG is a global business, with our parent company US based, we are proud to have our HQ in Wales. MRO Europe is a crucial industry event, and Lynn was excited to represent STG and meet customers to showcase their emergency exit and cabin lighting requirements, highlighting the emerging influence of Welsh talent in the market.
Lynn was also thrilled to be exhibiting alongside several other influential organisations based in Wales. STG was joined by businesses such as: Aermach, Triumph Aerospace Operations UK Ltd, Caerdav, eCube, Aero Engine Services, Argo MRT, MES Ltd / Metrology Engineering Services Ltd and Espanaro.
Many people are not aware of the growing aerospace sector in Wales and Lynn was delighted to play a part in changing that perception.
The ever- growing influence of leasing companies
One key trend that Lynn highlighted from the event was the ever growing influence of aircraft leasing companies. Aircraft leasing companies operate around 55 per cent of the global leasing market. Leasing an aircraft can often be cheaper, faster and easier for airlines, than joining the OEM new aircraft queue.
More and more airlines are opting to lease aircraft, and seeing this trend represented at MRO Europe demonstrated to Lynn how the aerospace industry is continuing to develop, but also how this resilient sector adapts to the changing nature of global markets.
With more events and many prospects on the horizon, STG Aerospace is excited to continue to strenghten its collaboration with both the Welsh Government and our many industry partners, as we provide essential lighting products to major airlines and OEMs throughout the sector.