Flying start for airbus supplier

Nov 7 2007 By The Journal

Wearside & Durham County winner Owen McFarlane, chief executive, CAV Aerospace, Consett

EVERY Airbus, the world’s best selling aircraft, carries a part crafted in the North-East. The manufacturer is CAV Aerospace, a top-level designer, manufacturer and supplier to the aerospace industry, headquartered in Consett.

It supplies major airframe structures, ice protection systems to allow cold weather flying, and specialist machining of parts. It also manages a supply chain.

In both Europe and the USA it provides for business jets, small cargo freighters, military aircraft and general aviation applications. The company, with eight sites in Britain, Poland and the USA, evolved from a business set up in 1990. Mr McFarlane took it further as operations director until 1994. Two years later he rejoined as chief executive, with a 15% stake.

Turnover will be £40m this year, and at least £62m next. Of the 517 employed in the UK, 388 are at Consett. Another 88 work abroad.

Mr McFarlane, who lives at Hexham, was born and bred in Durham City.

RUNNER-UP

Richard Cotter, brand president (chief executive) Berghaus, Sunderland.

RICHARD Cotter is leading a famous outdoor clothing and equipment manufacturer into one of the most exciting periods of its 41 years.

The company, now part of Pentland, was set up in 1966. Today, with a Queen’s Award and 120 employees, it is a major brand in Britain and throughout Europe. Now Mr Cotter leads the drive for global brand leadership.

The USA, Australia, China and other Far Eastern markets are his hunting ground in the quest to double sales. Outlets have already opened in South Korea and Japan. Berghaus has also opened its first UK retail store at the MetroCentre in Gateshead. The overall sales target is £100m by 2012.

On leaving school in Worcestershire, Mr Cotter had an option of becoming a professional at golf or football. He golfed for money for nearly a decade, including two years on the European tour. With Berghaus chairman Sir Chris Bonington, he has climbed the 19,340ft Mount Kilmanjaro in Tanzania.

RUNNER-UP

Dianne Sharp, managing director, Mechetronics, Bishop Auckland.

DIANNE Sharp is outstanding in manufacturing management. A qualified accountant still only 36, she came to Mechetronics in 1999 as finance director. Soon she was operations director. Now, for three years, she has been managing director.

Her previous national and international experience came in automotives and biotechs. She quickly established herself as tough minded and effective also in the making of solenoids and solenoid valves, which Mechetronics, as UK leader, has been turning out for more than 60 years.

Skills of its 100 employees benefit vending machines, anti-lock braking, computer printers and bottle recycling. Clients include Hewlett Packard and NCR.

Working from new, purpose-built premises, Mechetronics is strongly into China and the USA, and has customers on all five continents. It claims 99% customer retention.

Ms Sharp, of East Rainton, gives of her expertise throughout the region, serving with Business Link North-East, North-East Productivity Association, the Engineering Employers Federation and, previously, the Manufacturing Advisory Service.