11-Mar-2015 Source: Helitech
The U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) has again partnered with Reed Exhibitions to host a US Pavilion at Helitech International, staged in association with the European Helicopter Association, which takes place 6 – 8 October 2015 in London.
The USCS is the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. With trade professionals in over 100 US cities and more than 75 countries, the USCS help American companies get started in exporting or increasing sales to new global markets.
The US Pavilion made its debut at the 2014 event in Amsterdam with participating companies including Tradewind International LLC, Diagnostic Solutions International LLC, Heli-Mart Inc, AeroComputers Inc, Lord Corporation and StandardAero.
“The 2014 partnership between Reed Exhibitions and the U.S. Commercial Service proved to be a great success at Helitech International 2014. Commercial Service Aerospace Specialists based throughout Europe were able to provide one-on-one counseling to U.S. exhibitors who were looking to expand their market share and increase their global exports. Our Specialists were also able to provide market research and make introductions to key business contacts. Looking forward to Helitech International 2015, the partnership between Reed Exhibitions and the Commercial Service will expand. We will be centering our efforts on facilitating pre-scheduled business-to-business meetings between U.S. exhibitors and other exhibitors and show visitors. This year’s Helitech International is shaping up to be the best yet, and if you are in the helicopter business, it is an event that you do not want to miss.”
To further its goal of increased US exports, the USCS will offer matchmaking opportunities at Helitech International to exhibiting companies by introducing them to potential European buyers as well as international buyer delegations. In addition, commercial intelligence will be available for potential exhibitors as well as on-site support from the USCS team of local aerospace specialists. Further promotion will be facilitated with a national campaign conducted via the export.gov platform.
The potential business window in London this year is set in the context of increasing optimism and clear signs of improving business prospects. “While growth in the European civil helicopter sector has remained relatively flat over the last few years, the region still represents the second biggest such marketplace in the world after North America,” said Tony Skinner, Editor-in-Chief at Rotorhub.
He added: “Helicopter OEMs and suppliers are watching developments in the region closely, with MRO and support services seen as growth areas, although challenges remain in the shape of falling oil prices and EU regulations. The coming years could also see smaller OEMs coming to the fore as well as the growing utilisation of private companies for public services such as SAR and EMS.”
A potentially lucrative market in Europe could be the outsourcing of government-run services to private vendors. Bristow Helicopters will commence UK SAR operations in April this year, after winning a £1.6 billion contract from the government. “Companies such as Spain-based INAER, part of Babcock International Group, could be well positioned to take over state-run services such as EMS, SAR or firefighting. INAER began medical helicopter services in 1986 and four years later set up SAR operations in Spain, the first company to do so in the country,” commented Tony Skinner.
Helitech International’s Event Director, John Hyde, said: “Opening a European business gateway is a key opportunity for companies that participate in the US Pavilion. We are very keen to network with a wide cross-section of the American rotorcraft industry here in Orlando to highlight the potential export benefits available as well as the unique networking opportunities with international visitors in London. We were delighted with the success of the US Pavilion in Amsterdam and we look forward to working again with the USCS to assist a wide range of American companies.”