Aerospace Day Highlights State's Global Leadership In Aerospace
And Aviation
The state of Ohio celebrated is third annual "Ohio Aerospace
Day" on March 10, with a goal to recognize the achievements of the
state's aerospace industry, while increasing the awareness of the
importance of this industry and its ability for the state's future
economic growth.
Success in the aerospace and aviation industry means having
balanced access to cutting-edge technologies and the ability to
build and deliver the high-tech parts, instruments and devices that
fuel the industry. Industry trends show an increasing market in
aerospace technology both domestically and globally. As this growth
continues, businesses need an ideal environment that combines a
business-friendly climate, deep industry knowledge base, a
well-educated workforce, dedicated universities and research
institutions, and most importantly a strong supply chain to get
products to market.
Ohio delivers on its promise to be this ideal environment.
Ohio's aerospace and aviation industry is the nation's leader in
advanced propulsion and power technology. Ohio boasts more than
1,000 private companies, more than 100,000 workers, two federal
laboratories, a network of higher education institutions and
numerous nonprofit organizations engaged in the aerospace industry,
well positioning the state to take advantage of the market
growth.
"Ohio is the birthplace, home and future of aerospace. We are a
leader in the aerospace industry. We are an intellectual leader, a
leader in science and technology, R&D, supply chain, and we
need to ensure that we remain a leader in order to protect and grow
jobs in the aerospace industry in Ohio," said Michael Heil,
president and CEO of the Ohio Aerospace Institute, a nonprofit
organization dedicated to building Ohio's aerospace
economy.
Ohio and its network of aerospace industry businesses now face
greater competition not just domestically, but from around the
globe. As market growth continues, global companies look for
whoever can manufacture and deliver the parts and supplies in the
most cost-efficient and time-effective way. Appearing on ONN-TV's
"Ohio Means Business" program in February, Dale Carlson, manager of
advanced engine systems for GE Aviation, said Ohio is competing in
a global race for business. "(T)hey all want what you have," he
said. "There are states that are very aggressive in their R&D
taxing policies to attract jobs. In Ohio we have to stay
competitive. We have to compete year in and year out to keep these
treasures that we have."
As the birthplace of aviation, Ohio's aerospace and aviation
industry covers a complete spectrum of advanced propulsion
technologies for all aerospace vehicle types (aircraft, rockets and
spacecraft) both military and commercial. Ohio's network of
suppliers draws in billions of dollars annually from global
companies like Boeing and Airbus.
Ohio also is home to some of the world's largest aerospace and
aviation industry businesses including GE Aviation, Boeing,
Parker-Hannifin, Goodrich and Timken, just to name a few. According
to David Joyce, president and CEO of GE Aviation, Ohio's talented
aerospace workforce is why the company calls Ohio home. "Ohio is
home to some of the best and brightest talent in the aerospace
industry, and we are very gratified by the growing partnership
between Ohio and GE Aviation," Joyce said.
Understanding today's global economy, Ohio lawmakers
dramatically revamped the state's tax structure, creating the
lowest rates in the Midwest and an extremely profit-friendly
business climate for companies that locate in the state. In fact,
Ohio ranks fifth in the nation in the number of headquarters for
Fortune 500 companies and is home to 61 of the Fortune 1000.
"Ohio has proactively redesigned its business climate to support
a leading 21st century global economy," said Ed Burghard, executive
director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition, the nonprofit
organization that markets the state for capital investment.
"Strategic tax reform and economic development incentives encourage
global success and make the state an ideal location to profitably
compete in the global marketplace."