Increasing market pressures due to globalisation, lean organisations and technological breakthroughs have stimulated aerospace companies to rationalise their supply base and outsource project / supply chain management requirements. Companies must therefore collaborate within their supply chain in innovative ways and develop suppliers to be sources of knowledge and specialised skills rather than simply sources of product. Clustering has become a strategic approach to (1) reducing supply chain costs and (2) maintaining position in the value chain. This paradigm shift from competition to collaboration has been enabled by the explosive growth of the Internet as an independent and ubiquitous medium for exchange between a business and its supply chain partners. There are an increasing number of globalised supply chains in the Aerospace industry. Generally this is caused by the need to capitalise on cheap labour rates, exploit new technology partners and benefit from offset opportunities. However, the fragmented nature of globalised supply networks is inherent with risk. It is for these reasons that Aerogistics have developed specialised project management expertise, leading edge systems and collaborative cluster of multi-commodity suppliers. Dennis G Mendoras, Chairman of North West Aerospace Alliance, states that: "International markets are rapidly changing to become knowledge driven. This is a shift in approach, which will alter the shape of our supply chains, the dynamics of our economy and the competitive future of our industry. We believe that the Aerospace industry must act pro-actively and become the catalyst for creating a centre of high technology requirements not only of the Aerospace industry, but for all high technology clusters in the North West and beyond". "International markets are rapidly changing to become knowledge driven. This is a shift in approach, which will alter the shape of our supply chains, the dynamics of our economy and the competitive future of our industry. We believe that the Aerospace industry must act pro-actively and become the catalyst for creating a centre of high technology requirements not only of the Aerospace industry, but for all high technology clusters in the North West and beyond" Dennis G Mendoras, Chairman, North West Aerospace Alliance All content copyright Aerogistics. Site designed by TM3.