Over the last few months, Goonvean Group and the Engineered segment have been networking and attending events throughout the region. By doing this, we’ve successfully:
- Made valuable connections across the engineering industry, including the defence sector.
- Raised the profile of our businesses and their capabilities (both individually and together).
- Tapped into the wealth of engineering knowledge and business alliances across the region.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the things we’ve been up to and how it benefits the Group.
SWRDSC
Zoë Ashby (Goonvean Electronics Managing Director) and James Mullins (Managing Director of Goonvean Fibres, Goonvean Core Engineering and Precision Casting) attended the SWRDSC (South West Regional Defence and Security Cluster) event. The goal of the visit was to gain valuable insights into the Defence and Security industry and its associate partners.
The SWRDSC event aims to raise the profile of the South West’s Defence and Security capabilities, promoting improved sector knowledge, economic growth, and productivity increases across the region.
A major focus of the SWRDSC is a ‘Team UK’ approach to the sector, and a desire to encourage collaborative working between other Regional Defence and Security Clusters – as well as promote connections between the industry, academia, and the government. It was a valuable event for us to attend, and helped put our Engineered segment at the heart of the ongoing effort to establish efficient, accessible Defence and Security industry curation in the South West.
Coil Tech
Back in February, Zoë Ashby also attended Coil Tech, the largest coil manufacturing show in Europe. It’s also the only event in the coil winding industry that covers the entire production chain: from raw materials and insulation systems to winding, automation, testing, and integration.
This event is the meeting place for those who develop, manufacture, and maintain electric motors, transformers, and generators – and therefore a hugely valuable event for Goonvean Electronics to attend.
Zoë Ashby representing Goonvean Electronics at Coil Tech
The MTC
Goonvean Group Managing Director, Matthew Gazzard, COO, Sean Spelman, and James Mullins, visited the MTC (National Manufacturing Technology Centre) in Coventry. The MTC stands at the forefront of manufacturing innovation in the UK. Its focus on future manufacturing technologies and turning research findings into industry, makes the MTC a vital part of UK industrial transformation.
We visited the MTC to meet Jess Haytor from Lloyds Banking Group, to discuss our growth plans for Goonvean Group. We also explored how they can help advise us on technology in manufacturing systems, processes, and products. After this initial meeting, MTC have since visited Precision Casting and Goonvean Core Engineering.
Make UK Defence
Goonvean Core Engineering, Precision Casting and Goonvean Electronics are now members of Make UK Defence. This national, not-for-profit defence trade association is member owned, and part of the manufacturers’ organisation Make UK.
Make UK Defence champion defence supply chain growth and innovation in the UK. Through their extensive network of companies, the organisation supports industrial companies throughout the UK – a network which Goonvean Group are now a part of.
Membership provides pathways into the UK defence market through webinars, online platforms, and events – making expert knowledge shared and accessible, whilst promoting industry collaboration across the nation.
Ignite Somerset
Matthew Gazzard and James Mullins also attended Ignite Somerset in June, an event developed by Somerset Council and Somerset Chamber of Commerce to showcase business investment opportunities in the South West. Held at the Haynes Motor Museum, the event brought together people from the local business community – including industry leaders, developers, investors, and decision-makers.
James Mullins said: “Over 200 people from the Somerset and South West business community met to discuss the large infrastructure projects coming to the region, including Agratas, EDF, Leonardo, Rolls Royce SMR, and West Somerset Tidal Lagoon. It was a chance to see just how much investment is coming to the South West region.”
The Defence Procurement Conference
Other events
The Engineered segment members of JOSCAR, ADS, and Make UK Defence have been connecting with experts in the field via virtual events. As Zoë Ashby said: “Networking virtually is one of the easiest ways to gain knowledge, share insights, and make the right connections.”
The virtual networking events Goonvean have attended have led to valuable connections and experiences, including:
- Matt Eagle – Senior Manager, Fixed Wing Supply Chain, Boeing Defence UK: Looking for approved suppliers.
- Didde Bjerglund-Martin – Head of JOSCAR UK: Explaining how to make the best of the JOSCAR platform.
- Jenny Bridge – Strategic Partner Director, Make UK Defence: Explaining how Make UK can help connect businesses.
Aidan Costello-Fox, Business Development Manager for Precision Casting and Goonvean Core Engineering, has also attended a huge number of valuable engineering networking events this year. This has included:
- The TransCityRail Midlands Conference (upcoming)
- BattleLab, as part of an event put on by ADS South West
- The Defence Procurement Conference
- Seawork
- Make Defence UK Meet the Buyer (virtual event)
Hosted by BattleLab, the ADS Group brought together defence industry manufacturers, academics, and government organisations from across the South West
