© 2023 WYSO
Our Community. Our Nation. Our World.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations

Officials Work To Boost Ohio's Aerospace Industry

On Monday, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined Airbus Vice President of Procurement David Williams and U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (OH-10) at the National Composite Center in Kettering at the fourth procurement conference held between Airbus and more than 90
Jerry Kenney
/

State leaders are making a push to increase business between the state’s aerospace industry and aircraft manufacturer Airbus.  Toward that effort, state officials says they met with more than 130 representatives from 90 Ohio businesses this week. 

In 2013, Airbus spent $6.1 billion in Ohio. That puts the state at the top of the list for the company’s US spending, and Vice President of Procurement for Airbus Americas, David Williams says they want to buy even more of their parts and supplies here in Ohio.   

“The growth is clear to see," he said. "And I expect our partnership with Ohio to continue to create more growth in the future for our civil business, our defense and space, and our helicopter division.”

Ohio’s aerospace industry employs more than a hundred thousand people; US Senator Sherrod Brown says that makes the state a big player.

“Ohio helps power the world’s plane—pure and simple.  Every two seconds, somewhere in the world a plane takes off with Ohio manufactured components as part of that plane," the senator declared.

Airbus is working to identify companies that could become part of their supply chain and give Ohio businesses a leg up in the process.

Monday's conference took place at the National Composites Center, an Airbus partner, on Monday.  The event was co-hosted by Rep. Mike Turner, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, and David Williams.

 

Jerry Kenney was introduced to WYSO by a friend and within a year of first tuning in became an avid listener and supporter. He began volunteering at the station in 1991 and began hosting Alpha Rhythms in February of 1992. Jerry joined the WYSO staff in 2007 as a host of All Things Considered and soon transitioned into hosting Morning Edition. In addition to now hosting All Things Considered, Jerry is the host and producer of WYSO Weekend, WYSO's weekly news and arts magazine. He has also produced several radio dramas for WYSO in collaboration with local theater companies. Jerry has won several Ohio AP awards as well as an award from PRINDI for his work with the WYSO news department. Jerry says that the best part of his job is being able to talk to people in the community and share their experiences with WYSO listeners.
Related Content