about SBAC > frequently asked questions

SBAC is the national trade association representing suppliers to the civil air transport, aerospace defence and space markets operating in the economy. It represents over 2,600 companies, assisting them to develop new business globally, facilitates innovation and competitiveness and provides regulatory services in technical standards and accreditation. The UK has the world's largest aerospace industry outside the USA . UK based aerospace activity had a turnover of more than £22bn in 2005, supporting a highly skilled workforce of over 255,000 people.

The British Airports Group is the leading trade association for UK exporters in the airport development sector. BAG's mission statement is "to help members sell their products and services". BAG is part of the SBAC and BAG members have the same benefits as SBAC members.

Through our marketing intelligence database, members receive, the most up-to-date source of prospects, leads and information available to the UK aerospace industry. In addition, the SBAC has been entrusted by Trade Partners UK to create and maintain the Airports Intelligence Centre, as a comprehensive source of information for the UK airports industry.

Members have open access to prestigious meeting facilities at the SBAC offices in the heart of London, just minutes away from key Government departments.

SBAC
Membership fees are based on annual turnover in the UK aerospace industry. The minimum requirement is a turnover not less than ?100,000. Membership fees are based on class of membership and annual aerospace turnover.

BAG
With the main support services provided by the SBAC, BAG aims to minimise costs to its members. This means a structure for membership fees that reflects the member company size, and minimum break even costs for inward and outward missions.

SBAC acts as sponsor for a wide range of events to help members to access new markets including 'meet the buyer' events, market briefings and inward visits in the UK, trade missions, seminars and UK pavilions at overseas exhibitions and airshows. The SBAC's dedicated events and exhibitions team is on hand to help members participate in all these events. 

Members can also benefit from the unrivalled skills and experience of Farnborough International Limited who organise the Farnborough International Airshow. As one of the world's major aviation showcases, Farnborough provides members with a superb opportunity to showcase products and entertain key customers from around the globe. Please visit www.farnborough.com for more details.

The SBAC enjoys a close and longstanding relationship with UK Government.  SBAC is respected at all levels within Government as the international trade association for the aerospace industry in the UK.  This allows both SBAC ready access to high profile political and industrial lobbying.

The SBAC is the largest trade body of its kind in Europe and as such enjoys an international reputation and high prestige.

Definitely not. Nearly 80 per cent of SBAC members are SMEs.  SMEs are well represented on all of the SBAC boards and committees, and as such have a direct influence on decisions and policy making.

SBAC members, from engineering firms to material suppliers to systems integrators, have a track record of success.  Members are happy to share their experience with fellow members and believe that membership of the SBAC is a vital contribution to success in the aerospace industry.

BAG members, from project financiers to systems integrators, have a track record of success. Many of these success stories include a chapter on the contribution made by BAG. Members are happy to share their experience with fellow members and believe that membership of BAG with SBAC is a vital contribution to success in the airport industry.

It is now well recognised that SBAC members benefit from access to the widest possible marketplace. Opportunities are provided for networking at all levels of the aerospace industry from those designing systems to those who need individual components.  When combined with our marketing intelligence portals, inward and outward missions, seminars and briefings ? an unrivalled network of contacts is provided to help companies win new business.

In recognition of the needs of industry sub-sectors, SBAC has restructured the boards and working groups.  These groups are led by nominated representatives with the task of developing specific sector strategies, identifying target markets and advising the SBAC Council on issues affecting their sector. Any member company is welcome to get involved in most of the Society's working groups.