sync™:  Weekly Highlights from the NC Department of Commerce, 20 July 2010

(Left-right) N.C. Dept of Commerce Sec. Keith Crisco, TIMCO Co-CEO, CFO and CAO Kevin Carter, Wright family spokesperson Amanda Wright Lane and TIMCO VP of Sales and Marketing Kip Blakely at the Farnborough Airshow this morning.

The N.C. Dept. of Commerce, along with several partners and allies from across the state, are in Farnborough, England, this week at the Farnborough International Airshow. This show provides an opportunity to connect with senior aerospace executives over the course of the seven-day trade fair. Eleven North Carolina companies and economic development organizations are also joining Commerce to exhibit within the state's booth, taking advantage of the department's expanded marketing partnership program.

Partners include: North Carolina's Eastern Region, Purolator Facet, North Carolina's Piedmont Triad Partnership, VX Aerospace, C.R. Onsrud, Liquip International, TIMCO Aviation Services, Spatial Integrated Systems, Commerce Overseas Corporation, Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, North Carolina's Global TransPark

This morning (July 20) Sec. Keith Crisco welcomed Amanda Wright Lane, great-grandniece of Wilbur and Orville Wright, as they hosted dozens of company executives to the state's networking reception. Crisco and Lane commemorated the famous 1903 first flight and noted how the state is building on its heritage in aviation to create new jobs and opportunities for North Carolinians.

The Farnborough trade show, which opened yesterday, will be the largest event held in the sector this year with more than 130,000 trade visitors expected to attend. Commerce is leading the state's marketing efforts at the show, mounting a 650-square-foot exhibit in the U.S. Pavilion and conducting meetings with senior aerospace executives. The airshow runs through July 25. The state's presence at the air show follows successful exhibits mounted at the 2008 show and at the International Air Show at Le Bourget, France, last summer.

Gov. Bev. Perdue has identified aerospace and defense as key target industries for North Carolina, and as increasingly important to long-term job and investment growth for the state. North Carolina has enjoyed significant growth in the sector over the last three years. Just this month Spirit AeroSystems' opened a new manufacturing facility at the Global TransPark in Kinston where the company will build major fuselage and wing components for the Airbus A-350 XWB. Airbus reports more than 500 firm orders for its next-generation aircraft, which features extensive use of composite materials.