Three Trends We're Watching Ahead of Farnborough International Airshow
With the countdown to Farnborough International Airshow underway, attention naturally turns to new aircraft, major programme announcements and the latest aerospace technologies. For aerospace manufacturers, the focus has shifted from simply meeting demand to building businesses capable of higher production volumes, greater resilience and progressively greater precision.
1. Supply chain resilience and vertical integration
As aircraft production increases, OEMs are seeking partners who can provide broader manufacturing capability, shorter lead times, and greater control over the production process.
Resilient supply chains are built around collaboration, complementary capabilities, and strategic investment. Businesses with vertically integrated services—such as precision machining, specialist surface treatments, inspection, and assembly—help customers reduce complexity and improve responsiveness and programme certainty.
Simon Weston, CEO of ASG Aerospace, says resilience is becoming a defining characteristic of successful aerospace manufacturers.
"Customers want to look for partners with engineering expertise, approvals, and broad capabilities to support programmes in the long term. By investing in our machining, surface treatment, and manufacturing capabilities, we're helping customers build more resilient supply chains with fewer points of risk."
2. Developing the pioneers of tomorrow
Technology alone will not define the future of aerospace. The industry's success depends on attracting, developing, and retaining the next generation of engineers, technicians, and manufacturing specialists.
As experienced professionals retire and demand for advanced manufacturing skills grows, businesses are investing in apprenticeships, graduate development, upskilling, and creating career paths to attract future talent.
For ASG Aerospace, building the workforce of tomorrow is as important as investing in the latest machinery.
"The aerospace industry depends on talented people," Weston said. "Whether it's apprentices joining the industry or experienced engineers passing on knowledge, investing in people is one of the most important decisions a manufacturing business can make. Today's learners become tomorrow's innovators."
3. The high-rate revolution
The aerospace sector faces a new challenge: delivering at higher production rates while maintaining efficiency, predictability, and precision. Meeting this challenge requires manufacturers to adopt digital twinning, advanced metrology, automation, and intelligent production systems to improve throughput, optimise processes, and reduce lead times.
These technologies help manufacturers make better decisions, improve productivity, and support customers as production rates increase.
"Businesses that lead the next chapter of aerospace manufacturing are those investing in smarter ways of working," Weston said. "Digital twinning, advanced inspection technologies, and automation help manufacturers scale efficiently and give customers greater confidence in delivery."
As Farnborough approaches, these themes will likely shape many conversations at the exhibition. While new aircraft and breakthrough technologies attract attention, the aerospace industry's long-term success depends on resilient supply chains and skilled people and manufacturing capabilities that enable the sector to deliver at scale.