SME News Welsh Enterprise Awards 2023/ 24 Most Innovative Aerospace Engineering Company 2023 Metal Seagulls is a Welsh company that offers light aviation and related engineering solutions with full production facilities for all aircraft in the non-part 21 category. It is also an agent for Zenith Aircraft, ULPower Aero Engines, DUC propellers, and Aircraft Spruce. It offers a wide range of assembly services, fittings, and components, direct from its in-house workshop to a worldwide client base. Family run business Metal Seagulls is managed by Patricia Mawuli Porter OBE, who oversees servicing, production and workshops, and Jonathan Porter, who oversees operations and design. It is based at Haverfordwest Airport in the beautiful countryside of Pembrokeshire, South Wales. The directors are both BMAA and LAA inspectors in their own rights, with Patricia being the only black female inspector for this class of aviation in the whole of the UK. She was proud to receive her OBE for services to aviation by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Metal Seagulls geographic coverage extends throughout the UK, Ireland, Iceland, the Falkland Islands, and Africa. It also sells specialist aviation equipment all over Europe and North America. As part of its range of light aviation solutions it offers full technical support, design, and testing facilities. It is the only company in the UK with full production capabilities for all light metal aircraft in the nonpart 21 category. The company is currently working on the next generation of aircraft solutions, suitable for use in surveillance, humanitarian, agricultural, training, and recreational markets. It is also keeping a close eye on changes to the market, expected because of regulatory and societal shifts coming in next few years. It is working towards a new facility which will be capable of producing up to 50 aircraft a year, and thus creating approximately 30 new jobs. This is expected to manifest within the next decade. In addition to its day-to-day workload, Metal Seagulls has taken on the need to create solutions that encompass decarbonisation, encourage the circular economy, and provide greater inclusivity and a gender balance within the industry. It also collaborates with local academic institutions such as Pembrokeshire College and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s, for help and assistance with its apprenticeship programmes, research, and development activities. “We are currently working actively on an e-ready airframe solution, and welcome interest from those looking at moving towards more eco-friendly aviation solutions that think outside the box!” Metal Seagulls is always on the hunt for young people who desire a career in the aerospace world, while looking to grow their knowledge base in Wales. It favours apprentices with a preference for engineering and development work, who are passionate about making things. The company is keen to encourage candidates regardless of background, gender, ability/ disability, ethnicity, or neurodiversity. It offers a career that is rewarding in far more ways than just financially, with opportunities that celebrate the differences a diverse workforce brings. The company embraces the fact that about 10 different languages are spoken around the business, with a Welsh-multi-cultural balance always lauded. Wales is a fantastic environment for engineering/aerospace companies, with active support provided by Wales Aerospace Forum, the Welsh Government/Business Wales and local authorities. There is a strong Welsh engineering culture, with a caring and inclusive community spirit that helps companies to grow and flourish. In addition, the airspace is relatively open for aviation developments, whilst the rural aspect of Metal Seagulls location, close to the sea, makes for stunning test flight scenery. The company is hoping to taxi test its NexGen aircraft next year, with an aircraft that is powerplant and energy source agnostic. This is expected to disrupt the market in light aircraft for many different purposes (including the aforementioned arenas of surveillance, humanitarian, recreational etc.). The company is also planning to support a new STEM based educational foundation within its region over the coming months. Metal Seagulls is proud to closely work with its partners to educate the next generation of aerospace employees. It wholeheartedly believes in the concept of life-long learning, with time and instruction provided both to its own teams, and to interested young people at open days/school events. It does this to ensure the future contains better educated and more empowered young engineers, a vital aspect for Metal Seagulls as it moves towards a greener and more circular economy. Metal Seagulls has been awarded Most Innovative Aerospace Engineering Company 2023 in the Welsh Enterprise Awards. This is a fitting tribute to a company truly changing the landscape in the United Kingdom’s aerospace industry. Company: Metal Seagulls Web Address: www.metalseagulls.co.uk Contact Name: Jonathan Porter The Metal Segulls Team working on a DUC Helices VP Propeller for installation on the Fafali Aircraft in 2024
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