Associating For Success the Aerospace Clustering Association (HUKD)

Brief History

Together with the association of the Aegean Foundation for Economic Development and the Aegean Free Zone Development and Operating Co. (ESBAŞ), the first seeds of Aerospace Clustering were sown in July 2007, and as a result of forming a project team and conducting work on the preparation of a project document between 2007 and 2009, the first steps were taken with the support of the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) that has always contributed to defence and aerospace activities in our country.  

In April 2009, the request of the Izmir Gaziemir Municipality and ESBAŞ to win a university relating to aerospace in Gaziemir, and combining this with clustering activities, accelerated this formation and in July 2009 a decision to provide a legal entity to clustering was adopted. Founding members were identified with the participation from the provinces of Izmir, Ankara and Eskişehir, bylaws work was conducted and on 18 January 2010, the Aerospace Clustering Association (HUKD), as a first in Turkey, was established.

Strategic Plan  

HUKD conducts many different activities both in the domestic industry as well as on an international scale since the date of its founding to the present time. Organisations and companies from Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir that participate in clustering under joint strategies in the development of the aerospace industry show how it is possible to create common values together in competition, and in this regard, training is organised and competition means are developed.  In addition, university and research institutions, as clustering members that participate in our activities from different provinces, by developing projects on technology that will take our country forward in competition, undertake joint activities that will support our strategic targets. Furthermore, with the aim of meeting the necessary technical personnel needs in the aerospace and defence industries, joint work is being conducted with the vocational schools of the Aegean University. 

Keeping in mind the strategic targets of the SSM within the coverage of the 2012-2014 Strategic Plan, and the targets and performances criteria set in these activities, a delegation was formed from among the members of the Board of Directors to support these criteria. Our Association’s activities, that follows the performance criteria in line with the Strategic Plan; the work carried out in developing small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) and winning them over to the aerospace and defence industries; international relations, supporting the efforts to raise technical staff and the development of the technical and technological infrastructure are realised in many areas. 

The Development of SMEs  

The development of our SMEs, and supporting these enterprises for them to take place in the aerospace and defence industries, are among the important strategic targets of our Association. Within this framework, the contents of our Development of International Competitiveness (UR-GE) project commenced under Communiqué No. 2010/8 on Support in the Development of International Competitiveness by the Ministry of the Economy of the Republic of Turkey, that targets an increase in the export share of member companies through training, consulting and overseas activities, receives a 75 percent support in these activities. The UR-GE 13 project applied within this content was included in the coverage of support by the Ministry of the Economy and activities on this project commenced as of 2011. The needs and priorities of our member companies included in the project on training, marketing and consulting were identified and a needs analysis during the project’s first stage was completed, and in the light of this analysis, training has commenced. Among the most important certifications in the aerospace industry, the AS/EN 9100 training was successfully completed and, related to this certification, support activities will start within the coverage of environmental support under the said ministry in obtaining the AS/EN 9100 certification by our member companies. 

International Relations   

Each passing day, with the participation of companies that possess varied capabilities that take place in the aerospace and defence areas, our Association is expanding, and aside from relations it values conducted at the national level, it undertakes activities in creating an environment for co-operating with overseas clusters. In this way, it not only follows aerospace industry developments on a global scale but also to obtain qualified technical work and business opportunities for its member companies. 

HUKD has won the right to be the only Turkish member of the European Aerospace Cluster Partnership (EACP) managed by the Hamburg Aviation Clustering that includes 38 clusters from 13 countries. As an important network, members of the EACP get together in overseas activities, discuss joint issues and implement activities that will create a medium for joint projects. Application by a team from 8 countries that includes HUKD from among EACP member clusters for the call on the 2013 Leonardo da Vinci Partnerships Project can be shown as an example on this subject. Aside from this, agreements on intent involving collaboration have been signed with important German aerospace clusters, Hanse Aerospace e.V, Aviabelt e.V and BavAiria. These agreements are in the nature of platforms for activities currently conducted or to be conducted in the future and is a large contribution in overseas activities undertaken by the Association.

Support for Training

The organic attachment of our Association at its founding stage with the Aegean Vocational Academies of the Aegean University and the Aircraft Technology Programme opened in 2009, has developed into becoming one of the main programmes in raising existing qualified aircraft technicians in Turkey. With the support provided for this programme by our valued teaching staff and since its founding by our Association and local industry, the target has been to form a strong and a high-level technologically prepared technical staff resource for the Turkish aerospace industry. Within this coverage, a part of the activities implemented consist of work in directing the support of very important global aerospace companies.

Management

The Association’s Management Board as a result of the Ordinary General Assembly Meeting held on 15 April 2013 is as follows.

As of April 2013, our Association has 56 members of which 29 members are industrial companies. These companies in general provide services in the defence, aerospace and the automotive industries. Aside from our corporate members, valued teaching staff of important universities as academic members have provided important duties and services and with their know-how these persons, as individual members contributing to our Association, have provided strength to HUKD.  

Conclusion

Our clustering, gaining lessons from the past and utilizing our resources more effectively continues its support of our country’s industrialisation and, in particular, by equipping our member companies with strong competitive means, to carry forward our defence and aerospace industries to the global level it deserves. Supporting well-trained manpower in line with needs and access to intellectual capital and in developing projects in forming competitive firms in domestic design and engineering, our Clustering also considers access to state support that will add strength to our member companies in export development and in global competition.  

To introduce the competence that our SMEs possess, in presenting the opportunities, possibilities and the necessities of a competitive environment in developing these competences and within the framework of targets that is the duty of our Association, aside from activities in the international arena, HUKD also considers international relations and activities as of paramount importance.

Since the day of its founding, in the activities it has realised and future activities to be undertaken, there is not doubt that the existence of companies that day-by-day participates or will participate as a result of the forward looking initiatives of the Association’s founding members will gain momentum. On this path we extend a debt of gratitude to all our members who are with us and organisations that have supported us. Our clustering is an important proof in the success of our association.