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Paris Airshow 2007

David Robinson of Aluminium Special Products Limited answers our questions on his company’s attendance at the Paris Airshow.

Why has ASP decided to attend the event?

For 22 years we have been helping our customers source very specific and rare products.  This has been further developed over the past ten years to process the material to a stage beyond raw material.  However, the last two years has seen some of the most rapid changes we have experienced in terms of our target sectors.

Firstly, Philip Price joined us as Sales Director, then we joined the Midlands Aerospace Alliance and just now we have secured approval to AS9100.

This sequence of events has resulted in us becoming very focussed within the Aerospace and Defence industries for the first time.  We are now therefore looking to continue this focus and maximise our opportunities.

What type of work is ASP undertaking within the industry?

For several years one client in the defence industry, producing missile counter measures, has specified a very special alloy containing 40% silicon to give a very low thermal expansion rate.  Recently, because of the pressure to improve performance, they have demanded a low density aluminium alloy that has thermal expansion characteristics to match those of mating parts in steel.  In order to do this we will be supplying an extruded material in an alloy containing an estimated 53% silicon.

It is not all high tech work, due to the extended life of the Harrier, one customer found that sources of high alloy steel tube have all but dried up.  ASP found an alternative production route to keep the traditional specification alive and completed the exercise with machining and heat treatment to the finished part number.

Going back even further, we are playing our part in matching up specifications originally developed in the 1930s, without deviation, to keep the beloved Spitfire in the air.

Can you mention any specific clients you work with?

Unfortunately not as client confidentiality is very important to us, as we’re sure it is across the industry.  However we do have a very specific target market which I think I’ve made clear so if anyone feels our services would be relevant to their company, this event is the perfect chance to come and have a chat with us.