The Boeing Scotland Alliance will explore opportunities for the two organisations to work together in Scotland with the aim of doubling Boeing’s supply chain.

The alliance will focus initially on sectors like space, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies. It will explore joint sustainability initiatives within the aviation sector which support Scotland’s transition to a net-zero economy by 2045. It will also explore innovations in areas such as reducing manufacturing time, materials waste and energy usage that lead to lower aircraft weight and lowering carbon emissions through greater fuel efficiency.

Fiona Hyslop, economy secretary, said: “Today’s announcement represents another important milestone in Scotland’s manufacturing innovation journey. This strategic Alliance with Boeing creates opportunities for companies, universities, colleges and employment across Scotland.

“It is a strong endorsement of public sector collaboration, building high-value supply chain relationships and embracing academic excellence to deliver for industry.

“The Alliance furthers our vision to see Scotland as a manufacturing nation and validates our decision to invest £48 million in establishing the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS).”

David Smith, national opportunities director at Scottish Enterprise, added: “This Alliance agreement builds on the existing business activity between Boeing and Scotland and is the result of many months of discussion with Boeing. It’s fantastic news for Scotland and enables us to take forward a wide range of new possibilities with Boeing, starting with the aerospace R&D project.

“Deepening our strategic partnership with one of the world’s largest manufacturing companies will lead to new jobs and increased opportunities for Scottish SMEs, which will directly benefit the people, families, communities and regions of Scotland.”

Manufacturing is crucial to Scotland’s economy, employing more than 180,000 people and accounting for over half of international exports and half of R&D spend. Key organisations in the public, private and academic sectors will be encouraged to join Alliance discussions to maximise the opportunities being identified.

One of the initial activities supported by this new Alliance is an £11.8m R&D project between Boeing and the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre, part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland.

The project is supported by £3.5m of R&D funding from Scottish Enterprise and will see Boeing establish an R&D team in Scotland to look at metallic component manufacturing as the basis for future aircraft components.,

Through this project, Boeing also becomes one of the first strategic industrial partners for NMIS. The project will initially be housed in temporary work space in Renfrewshire before relocating to the new NMIS building once completed. NMIS is the anchor tenant for the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) site being developed by Renfrewshire Council.

NMIS is a £65m, industry-led international centre of manufacturing expertise driven by Scottish Government in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council, University of Strathclyde and Renfrewshire Council.

Operated by the University of Strathclyde as a national facility for Scotland, NMIS is where research, industry and the public sector work together to transform skills, productivity and innovation to attract investment and make Scotland a global leader in advanced manufacturing.