Campaigns refreshed for Indian and export markets

ADS Group Ltd, which has more than 1,000 members from aerospace, defence, security and space sectors in the United Kingdom, has refreshed its market building campaigns for India.

Detailing the multi-pronged campaigns, ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said “India is a priority market for ADS and for our members, and we have a long-term commitment to India.

“Our defence and security companies are well placed to meet the needs of customers in India for the highest quality equipment and services, and we are in the process of identifying Indian partners.

“We have stepped up our engagement with the Indian High Commission in London to raise UK company awareness of opportunities in the Indian defence and security market, and we are also working closely with the UK India Business Council,” Everitt stressed.

ADS’s director for defence, Willy Hockin underlined “The defence engagement is a global game and it is an international supply chain. Thus, we are working with our Indian partners for developing export markets.”

Hockin stressed the importance for being a long-term, 10 to 15-year, partners with Indian defence industry which has strong potential of exporting to emerging markets.

The ADS sees itself playing a crucial role from early stage of technology development, product innovation and market information sharing. “We also see a high level of technology-transfer and knowlddge sharing,” he said.

With such established working relationships in India, ADS also expects to import Indian indigenous expertise to the UK and carry out indepth research on products, expand capabilities and hone services.

“There has to be multi-prong approach to our partnerships with the Indian business groups which have global supply-chain network,” Hockin elaborated.

“We also see the potential of building businesses with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the large pool of start-up companies in India,” said Hockin.

He appreciated the Indian government’s pro-business initiatives launched in recent years. Initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Startup India’ are all designed to build businesses and create opportunities for foreign parnterships, noted Hockin.

Following a review of how best to make a long-term commitment to the Indian market and support UK companies looking to develop their business in India, ADS is:

Increasing engagement with the India High Commission in London to raise UK company awareness of opportunities in the Indian defence and security market.

Seeking to work more closely with the UK India Business Council – who provide support to UK companies establishing themselves in India – and with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), the Society of Indian Defence Manufactures (SIDM), and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Providing support to the UK Defence Growth Partnership (DGP) as it helps UK companies build partnerships in priority global markets including India.

The DGP is ADS’ new mantra for taking the next leap forward especially in emerging markets.

“Our presence at DefExpo 2018 has helped both ADS and companies participating in the UK Pavilion further develop our relationships with key Indian trade organisations and business partners,” said Hockin.

“We are also looking forward to Indian engagement at the Farnborough International Airshow 2018 in July and future opportunities to build relationships between our members and our partners in India,” he said.

As a show of its support to India, UK Pavilion exhibitors at DefExpo 2018, held 11-14 April in Chennai,  included two of the biggest companies in the UK defence sector – BAE Systems and Cobham – as well as:

Molecular Products Ltd and Avon Protection Systems – both manufacturers of respiratory protective equipment.
JFD Ltd – a world leader in the design, manufacture and operation of diving and underwater systems.

MacTaggart Scott & Company Ltd – a Scottish engineering company, specialising in naval mechanical handling equipment and supporting customers worldwide.

Aero Metals Alliance UK Ltd – provides materials and supply chain management services to the world’s leading aerospace companies.
Pearson Engineering Ltd – a world-leading provider of Counter-Mine, Counter-IED, Route Proving, Combat Earth Moving and Assault Bridge Launching equipment for Armoured Fighting Vehicles.

Strongfield Technologies Ltd – a specialist supplier of High-tech components and equipment for Defence and Space applications, and provides Engineering, Design and Consultancy support for Defence and Aerospace programmes. fii-news.com