On Monday 9th March, senior representatives from Pentaxia joined Safran and leading organisations across the UK composites sector at an exclusive industry forum, hosted at the British Embassy in Paris, to explore opportunities for deeper UK–France collaboration.
The event, organised with support from the Department for Business and Trade and Composites UK, brought together a select group of leading companies and research institutions to discuss the future of advanced composites within aerospace and defence supply chains.
Pentaxia was one of only five companies invited to represent the UK composites manufacturing sector. The forum included six representatives from Safran and provided a platform for open discussion around the group’s strategic priorities, including the key pillars for future success and the challenges currently affecting its global supply chain.
Representing Pentaxia at the forum were Managing Director Michael Willmott and Aerospace Business Manager James Smith. During the event, James Smith delivered a presentation outlining Pentaxia’s composite manufacturing capabilities, and its growing track record within the aerospace sector, highlighting how the company can support Safran in addressing supply chain challenges and building a long-term collaborative partnership.
The forum also provided an opportunity to reconnect with Safran’s Executive Vice President of Purchasing for Safran Electronics and Defence, a previous colleague of Pentaxia’s Managing Director, further strengthening existing professional ties between the organisations.
Following the event, Pentaxia has already begun establishing further contact with Safran representatives as both sides explore opportunities to develop the relationship and identify areas for future collaboration.
Reflecting on the invitation, Michael Willmott, Managing Director of Pentaxia commmented,
“It was a great honour to be selected to represent the UK composites industry by Safran, with the support of Composites UK, at the remarkable setting of the British Embassy in Paris. The day has been a catalyst for highlighting the strength of UK manufacturing and its role in driving innovation. I am confident that important new relationships will begin and flourish as a result of this event.”
The forum was hosted by Jo Hawley and brought together key UK and French stakeholders including research centres and manufacturing specialists. According to industry figures shared during the event, the UK composites sector is valued at approximately £14 billion and supports more than 52,000 jobs nationwide, playing an important role in the country’s transition towards a lower carbon industrial future.
