Business was brisk for a delegation of 40 motorsport companies securing new business in the defence industry, hosted, last week, by the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) to DSEi London, the world’s largest fully integrated defence and security exhibition.
“Despite news of budget cuts, the defence industry urgently needs fast response from innovative motorsport engineering suppliers, as time is money” said Chris Aylett, CEO of the MIA “a growing opportunity exists as major defence companies seek more efficient suppliers, and the MIA has opened the door for motosport and high performance companies. We need even more companies to join our Motorsport to Defence initiative now”
Two standing-room only business seminars were led by the MIA, “Rapid Deployment Solutions for Defence from the Motorsport Industry” and “Industry Collaboration – Looking outside the Defence Industry for Solutions”. The interest from defence companies was outstanding, all were curious as to how they could gain benefit immediately and new contacts were made for future business.
Four MIA members explained their successful technology transfer journey from motorsport to Defence - NAR Group, Cosworth, Lifeline Fire and Safety Systems and Alpha Composites.
Alistair Fergusson, MD of Alcon Components, a sponsor of the MIA’s Motorsport to Defence programme, said “It was clear that the MIA's M2D initiative has caught the imagination of motorsport and defence people alike. The seminar programme was well attended and it was noticeable that, since the last DSEi, there has grown a much greater awareness of the benefits of co-operation between the two industries. I have no doubt that worthwhile new business will result from a strong motorsport presence at DSEi”.
In total, eleven MIA members were exhibiting at the event including Lola Group, Supacat, NAR Group, Goodridge, and attracted plenty of interest and business.
This number grows at each Defence Show as more find the value in diversifying into this sector from motorsport. The next MIA Motorsport to Defence event is particularly of value to those in simulation is the ADS Training, Simulation, Evaluation and Test Event (TSET) at the University of West England, Bristol on 8/9 November 2011. For further details, please visit the MIA website – www.the-mia.com
