The Aerospace Industry Cluster provides employment in a variety of operations from aircraft manufacturing, commercial airline travel, air cargo, and private and charter flights, to maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities.

With nearly 490,000 people in the U.S. engaged in the Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing process, this is the largest employment sector of the cluster representing 42% of the total 1.16 million U.S. aerospace workforce. 

Commercial Aerospace in Mexico

The aircraft industry and commercial aerospace industry in Mexico are some of the three largest industries manufacturing in Mexico today. The Mexico aerospace suppliers and aviation industry has proven to be a lucrative investment for economic development in Mexico and its manufacturing base, exceeding $3 billion annually within the last few years.

Over the next 5 years, that number will continue to grow, while simultaneously creating 35,000 jobs in Mexico, further aiding in economic development. 200 aerospace companies in Mexico currently manufacture aircraft components for commercial aviation, small business, and civilian use.

What is the Aerospace Industry?

Aerospace is a term used to collectively refer to the atmosphere and outer space. An aerospace-related activity is very diverse, with a multitude of commercial, industrial, and military applications. Aerospace engineering consists of aeronautics and astronautics.

Aerospace organizations research, design, manufacture, operate, or maintain aircraft, spacecraft, and related topics.

The beginning of space and the ending of the air is considered as 100 km (62 mi) above the ground according to the physical explanation that the air pressure is too low for a lifting body to generate meaningful lift force without exceeding orbital velocity.

What are the top Aerospace Companies?

The world’s airliner fleet is dominated by Airbus and Boeing. The two aircraft manufacturers are the competitive employers of aerospace graduates and produce highly successful jet models, including the Airbus A320 and Boeing’s 737 aircraft, which were often named as one of the best-selling jets worldwide. Bombardier, Embraer, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are also competitors in the market.

10. Honeywell

Honeywell International is an American multinational company specializing in Aerospace, safety and productivity solutions, performance materials, etc. The company aims to enable increased fuel efficiency, better operations, safer and on-time flights, and in turn, satisfied passengers.

Their new platform, Honeywell Forge, uses the advanced technology of big data and machine learning to drive airline profitability and eliminate 35% of equipment failures. 

9. Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce took the automotive industry by storm with its luxury leather seats and Spirit of Ecstacy, and it is doing the same to the aerospace industry. With over 16,000 military engines in service with 160 customers spanning across 103 countries, it is evident that they are successful in this department as well.

From domestic transport to combat, Rolls-Royce’s engines and service solutions provide world-leading technology to customers. In 2020, Rolls-Royce Holdings produced a staggering underlying revenue of £11.7 billion.

8. L3Harris

L3Harris has been serving the United Kingdom for over 100 years, delivering unique capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber for military, security, and commercial customers, internationally, through their team of over 2,000 employees. 

Some of the company’s air capabilities include:

• Sky Warden™ ISR Strike Aircraft – The sturdy aircraft is designed to perform in austere, disaggregated combat environments with minimal infrastructure.
• FVR-90 Airframe – The airframe s designed for endurance, 12 to 18 hours, with an 8 to 22-pound payload capacity.

7. Safran

Safran S.A. is a French multinational aerospace-component corporation, since its creation in 2005, the company has gained a name for itself and its 81,000 employees. The company was formed through a merger between SNECMA and SAGEM.

The company specializes in:

Aircraft equipment

Aircraft interiors

Aircraft propulsion

Defense

Space

6. Raytheon

Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an American aerospace and defence company that is focused on advancing aviation, creating innovations, etc. 

Not only do they use advanced technology to provide innovative solutions to customers, but they are also committed to making an impact. Their corporate social responsibility initiative, Connect Up, connects talented, purpose-driven people to uplift the community. 

5. General Electric (GE Aviation)

GE Aviation a subsidiary of General Electric (a world energy leader) founded in 1917. The company manufacturers and sells jet engines, components, and advanced systems for commercial and military aircraft. 

The innovative company recently passed major manufacturing milestones, firstly the Asheville facility shipped its 100,000th turbine while the Auburn facility shipped its 100,000th additively manufactured fuel nozzle tip.

4. Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is an American aerospace and defense technology company, founded in 1994. Since then, the company has jumped from strength to strength and built and transformed its business to operate in many areas; Cyber, Air, Space, Land, Sea, and more.

The company says that they are “defining possible” from building some of the world’s most advanced aircraft to providing critical logistics to America’s emergency services.

3. Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin Corporation is American aviation, information security, and technology corporation, birthed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta in 1995. Since then, it has been advancing scientific discoveries and constantly using innovative technology to solve complex challenges and ensure the safety of customers.

2. Boeing

The everlasting battle between Boeing and Airbus continues. Boeing is an American specialist company that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rockets, and many more innovative products. 

For over a decade, the company has been taking the aerospace industry by storm, becoming a household name and racking up revenue of $17.0 billion in Q2 of 2021.

Their most famous products include the 737 MAX, which they have made great progress with getting back into service, the 787 (Dreamliner) but commercial is not all that they do, they serve for defense and space too.

1. Airbus

At the top of the list is the international aerospace pioneer, Airbus which has been battling with Boeing since the 1990s and taking the industry by storm since 1970. 

Whilst every industry has been shaken by the COVID-19, however, the innovative aerospace company has not let it dampen them, they sold 297 commercial aircraft in the first half of 2021, racking up an impressive revenue of € 24.6 billion in just six months, in what has been a turbulent year.

Their most famous products include the A380, a modern domestic model, and the Eurofighter, a modern swing-role fighter jet.

Manufacturing for the global aerospace industry

The global aerospace parts manufacturing market size is expected to reach USD 1,233.2 billion by 2030. Increasing passenger and freight traffic in emerging economies and the addition of state and local incentives are driving the demand for next-generation aircraft, which in turn is expected to boost the market growth.

A majority of aerospace manufacturing companies are integrated across the value chain and are highly active in the parts manufacturing process. These aerospace companies have in-house production facilities as well as supplier contracts for the procurement of these parts.

Raw Material Procurement

Aerospace manufacturing is also involved in raw material procurement and designing and quality control of the parts offered by third-party suppliers.

Aerospace companies are becoming more global due to heightened competition, growing travel demands, and increased security requirements in emerging markets. Globalization provides opportunities for lower costs and for technologically advanced product introductions.

Increasingly, these products can be designed and manufactured virtually anywhere. Globalization is also affecting product selections, in that military and commercial customers alike are requiring that value be “offset” by placing work closer to their countries of origin.

United States Outlook

This tendency is likely to continue, as traditional countries are pressured to keep their jobs at home, but is balanced by the need for companies to grow revenues and continue to reduce labor costs. The trend in the industry towards globalization is also marked by new market entrants, particularly in the commercial aircraft segment.

Reducing defense expenditures

No matter the outcome of the budget sequester action, there is likely to be continued pressure to reduce defense expenditures. Continued debate on several important questions regarding united technologies US defense and security policy and investment priorities are expected to shape the financial performance of the defense industry.

The formulation of a renewed US defense strategy, coupled with the resulting warfighter requirements, and ultimately the defense budget, will likely provide the guidance necessary for defense contractors to size their workforce appropriately, to understand what revenues they can count on, and therefore what their financial performance will be.

Political leaders of China, the U.S., the Middle East, and Russia are increasingly spending billions of dollars in military expenditure. Overall, the U.S. holds the largest share of worldwide military outlays; the country accounts for around 40 percent of global defense spending. Conflicting interests between countries’ expansion services stress the development of more military technology innovations. For instance, drones have become an indispensable weapon and are in great demand in many parts of the world.

Manufacturing Locally

At BF&S Manufacturing, we use cutting-edge hardware to provide the finest machining services available in aerospace manufacturing today. Our experienced staff has years of experience working with each type and size machine to fit your production needs – no matter how complex the project.

BF&S Manufacturing

We are more than just a contract machine shop. We make sure to provide our customers with the best service and products possible by strictly adhering to honest business practices. This way, you save money through efficient operations that keep things running smoothly; without compromising on quality or customer satisfaction.

We are committed to the highest standards of quality. Every step in our process is oriented towards achieving this goal; from inspections and testing all the way through distribution.

We invite you to learn more about aerospace manufacturing in Mexico by continuing to explore our website.