Mission Statement

Aerospace Executive Service at AAD – Africa Aerospace and Defense

Waterkloof Air Force Base, Pretoria, South Africa

September 21-24, 2004

Event Description:

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s office in Johannesburg, South Africa and the International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Aerospace and Defense Technology Team are organizing the Aerospace Executive Service at the AAD – Africa Aerospace and Defense Air Show, September 21-23, 2004.

The Aerospace Executive Service affords lower-cost access to small and medium-sized businesses by allowing them to participate in the AAD –Africa Aerospace and Defense Air Show without taking on the enormous expenses of purchasing and staffing booth space.

The Aerospace Executive Service package at the AAD- Africa Aerospace and Defense Air Show includes:

Commercial Setting:

The AAD – Africa Aerospace and Defense Air Show 2004 – Rising to New Dimensions, a biennial event, will be held from September 21-25, 2004 at Waterkloof Air Force Base, six miles south of Pretoria and about 30 minute drive from Johannesburg, South Africa.   It will be one of the world’s comprehensive air shows, and a major showcase for marketing aerospace and related defense technology, business and commercial aviation, airline, and equipment and facilities.   Geographically, it will draw attendees from all of Africa, a significant group from the Middle East, India, and South Asia.   With an extensive presentation of displays and exhibitions, a broad program of conferences and a wealth of new marketing opportunities, AAD –the Africa Aerospace and Defense Air Show 2004 will provide an impressive focus for the world’s aerospace and aviation industries and a natural place to stage an Aerospace Executive Service Program.

The AAD 2002 attracted an impressive number of exhibitors and visitors from around the world and is gaining a reputation as an important aerospace exhibition to attend in order to gain a foothold in the African continent.   African defense delegations as well as regional commercial and general aviation multipliers are seasoned visitors to AAD and serve to reinforce South Africa as the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) and After Sales Service (ASS) hub for Sub-Saharan Africa.   There were over 200 exhibitors at AAD 2002 and 82 delegations attended from 37 countries.   More than 350 exhibitors are expected for AAD 2004 according to the organizers.

The South African defense industry is dominated by six research, development and manufacturing companies:   Aerosud, ADS, ATE, Denel, Grintek, and Reunert.   There are many others; all are looking for logical partnerships with especially US suppliers or defense contractors to reduce an over-reliance on European technology and marketing partners.   South African aerospace and defense contractors cover a wide but shallow technological base.   This is both its strength but also its weakness.   It has developed expertise in the areas of:

Ultra-mobile heavy and armored wheeled vehicles
Transponders
Parachutes
Low cost simulator
Combat helicopters
Composite materials and composite rotor blades for helicopters
Radar
UAV

This is to just name a few areas.   Please see www.export.gov/southafrica.market research.html, for more details with regards to potential market opportunities.

According to some reports, South Africa’s largest single manufactured foreign exchange earner is that of defense, electronics, and aerospace systems and components. South Africa has established itself as the only Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub for southern Africa; gaining access to this market also ensures distribution of consumables, rotables, spares, and the after market into all of sub-Saharan Africa for commercial and general aviation products.

Mission Goals:

The goal of the Aerospace Executive Service at AAD – Africa Aerospace and Defense 2004 is to facilitate an effective presence for small to medium-sized companies without incurring the major expenses associated with purchasing and staffing exhibition space.   The Aerospace Executive Service enables U.S. aerospace companies to familiarize themselves with this important trade fair, to conduct market research, and to explore export opportunities through pre-screened meetings with potential partners.   The Aerospace Executive Service also allows the U.S. companies to have a presence at the show, providing them an enhanced image and level of engagement, an office infrastructure environment, and the support of knowledgeable Commercial Service staff focused on furthering company-specific objectives.   Access to South Africa and other international markets and business partners is made possible through the Aerospace Executive Service in a manner that cannot be matched by simply attending the show as a visitor.

Mission Scenario:

The maximum number of participants is ten.   Aerospace Team members and other domestic office trade specialists will recruit and counsel prospective participants for the AAD –Africa Aerospace and Defense Air Show 2004 Aerospace Executive Service.

An Aerospace and Defense Team member will arrive in South Africa prior to the show.   . Company literature and promotional material will be shipped to Commercial Service Johannesburg.   No exhibition or larger demonstration items are appropriate and will not be permitted.   Commercial Service staff will be available for information and assistance through Thursday, September 23, 2004 as September 24 and 25 are public days at the show.

Timetable:

Participants will arrive according to their own schedule, but are reminded that they should assemble at the Hotel Park Hyatt for the 4 p.m. briefing on Monday, September 20, 2004, and at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 21, 2004 in order to take the chartered bus to Waterkloof Air Base, 30 minutes approximately from Johannesburg.

Promotion/recruitment will include, but not be limited to, publication in domestic trade publications and association newsletters, mailings from internal mailing lists, win faxes to internal database aerospace clients, email to aerospace distribution lists and through posting on the International Trade Administration’s home page and in the Federal Register.   Recruitment for the AES program will close August 16, 2004.   Applications received after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Criteria for Participant Selection:

A company’s product and/or services must be manufactured or produced in the United States or if manufactured/produced outside the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51% of the finished good or service.

Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.

Contact Information:

Mark Arthur Weaver
Senior Trade Specialist
Aerospace& Defense Team
Director
Fort Worth Export Assistance Center
808 Throckmorton Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Tel:   817-392-2673
Fax:   817-392-2668
Email:   mark.weaver@mail.doc.gov

Mathew D. Woodlee
International Trade Specialist
U.S. Export Assistance Center – Baltimore
World Trade Center
401 East Pratt Street, Suite 2432
Baltimore, MD   21202
Tel:   410-962-4576
Cell:   443-271-8797
Fax:   410-962-4529
Email:   mwoodlee@mail.doc.gov

Commercial Service South Africa
Johan van Rensburg
Commercial Specialist- Aerospace
U.S. Commercial Service
US Consulate
Courier Address:
15, Chaplin Road
Illovo 2196
Mail Address:
P.O. Box 1712
Houghton 2040
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tel:   (27) 011-778-4815
Fax:   (27) 011-268-6102
Cell:   083-617-0340
Email:   Johan.van.Rensburg@mail.doc.gov