Northwest Aerospace News February | March Issue No. 13 | Page 10

HISTORY
There is something to be said about an organization’s DNA, its
“molecules of life” that remain unchanged regardless of the evolu-
tion that takes place over generations, changing its appearance and
function. This is definitely evident in the case of GKN Aerospace.
With innovative genetic code linked back to South Wales’ Dowlais
Ironworks, 1759, GKN remains on the leading edge, taking risks to
create new markets and inevitably make great strides in moderniza-
tion and connecting the world as we know it today.
GKN Aerospace’s seminal evolutionary moment was the 1988
acquisition of a stake in Westland plc, a British helicopter and
aerospace manufacturer. Westland was known worldwide for its
helicopters, but had acquired Saunders-Roe, the famous flying boat
maker, which was leading the world in aerostructures and composite
materials. GKN’s new acquisition was the linchpin to its modern
evolution into one of the industry’s most relied-upon suppliers of
aerostructures, engine systems, and special niche products.
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NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS
Nick Bowman, SVP of Global
Manufacturing Engineering for
GKN Aerospace speaks to the
people that make up GKN’s
DNA. “Our company has under-
gone many changes, evolved into
different industries, and contin-
ues to look for ways to improve
Nick Bowman —Senior Vice President
the business. However, the one
Global Manufacturing Engineering
GKN Aerospace
thing that has remained constant
has been our people. Our global
workforce is dedicated to thinking outside of the box,
solving problems no one thought possible, and innovat-
ing aerospace and aviation for the aircraft of today and
aircraft of tomorrow. Without the 18,000 people making
things fly every day, there is no GKN Aerospace.”