AN aerospace firm, a leading supplier of airframe and aero engine components which operates in Worcester, has expanded its relationship with airplane manufacturer Boeing.

Aeromet International has been awarded an extension to its existing long term agreements covering the supply of parts for the Boeing 737, 767 and 777 airplanes. In addition to the extension, Aeromat has also secured a new contract to supply parts for the 777X, Boeing’s next generation airplane which is due to enter service in 2020, making it the biggest set of orders in the company’s 40 year history.

Aeromet specialises in aluminium and magnesium cast parts, employing 260 staff at sites in Worcester, as well as in Rochester and Sittingbourne.

The firm supplies aerospace and defence customers with a range of airframe and aero engine components including fuel system components, wing tips, doors and heat exchangers.

Simon Holliday, Aeromet’s managing director, said: “This agreement builds upon Aeromet’s 17-year relationship with Boeing and is a natural extension of a partnership that has seen the companies operational, engineering and quality teams collaborate on projects that have developed innovative solutions for complex parts.

"This win is a great example of what is possible for Aeromet when we focus on providing customers with innovative solutions and fantastic service.”

The 777X contract award is the latest example of Aeromet’s unique capabilities.

In this case new parts will be made using A20X - Aeromet’s proprietary aluminium alloy, which has been developed and patented by the firm.

The Aeromet deal was cemented following a UK suppliers’ trip hosted at Boeing’s commercial airplane production facilities in the Washington in 2016, supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Department for International Trade.

“Boeing and the UK aerospace industry have a long, mutually beneficial history,” said Sir Michael Arthur, president of Boeing Europe and managing director of Boeing UK.

“Aeromet’s recent contract award is evidence that together, Boeing and UK companies continue to win the marketplace.”

Business Minister Jesse Norman said: “These new orders from Boeing bear testimony to Aeromet’s commitment to investment in R&D.

"This is a great example of how industry and government, through the Aerospace Growth Partnership, are working together to tackle barriers to growth, boost exports and create high value jobs.”

Aeromet has also been supported by the government-backed Sharing in Growth (SIG) programme.

SIG’s chief executive Andy Page said: “We are really delighted by Aeromet’s achievement.

"It is without doubt proof that SiG’s four year transformation programmes deliver and sustain improvements so that UK firms can compete for the continuing huge growth in the aerospace sector."