Canagrosa participates in the Direct Mission of the aerospace sector to Mexico
Andalucía Trade has organised a week of meetings, visits and cooperation that open up new opportunities between Andalusia and Mexico in the aerospace sector
Last week, Canagrosa took part in the Direct Mission to Mexico for the aerospace sector, organised by Andalucía Trade with the support of its office in Mexico. This initiative brought together Andalusian companies from the aerospace sector with the aim of strengthening their collaboration and international reach, generating new opportunities for cooperation with the Mexican aeronautical ecosystem.
"We are impressed by the “triple helix” model here in Querétaro, by how the government is supporting industrial growth and investing in a university that adapts its curricula to the real needs of business", said Fernando Alarcón de la Lastra, CEO of Canagrosa.
UNAQ, a training model at the service of industry
During the mission, the delegation visited the Aeronautical University in Querétaro (UNAQ), a public higher education institution specialising in aeronautical training. Officially founded in 2007, its origins date back to 2005, when the Querétaro State Government, backed by the Federal Government, participated in an international competition to attract Bombardier Aerospace. It was in October 2005 that the arrival of the company was announced, leading to the creation of the first aeronautical manufacturing cluster in Mexico. Querétaro was the first state in the Mexican Republic to have teachers certified as instructors in the areas of structural and electrical assembly for aircraft.
"It is gratifying to see that UNAQ is a university created to serve aeronautical companies that need qualified professionals at all levels. Driven by Bombardier, Safran and the first prime contractors to arrive in Mexico, today it is an absolute success story", said Alarcón de la Lastra.
An ecosystem that brings together government, industry and academia
Since 2016, UNAQ has been applying the triple helix model – government, industry and academia – which has turned Querétaro into a hub of innovation, competitiveness, employment and well-being. Each new company that sets up in Querétaro develops a specific staff training and qualification programme in conjunction with the government and the university, a model that has established itself as one of the most effective tools in the region for addressing the global challenges facing the sector.
"Querétaro has spectacular data. It is one of the most advanced states in Mexico, with an average age of 29 and a very high level of education. There is a lot of talent, although it remains a challenge for large companies to set up here", explained the CEO of Canagrosa.
Meetings with industry leaders
The Andalusian delegation consisted of Juan Román Gallego, director of the Andalucía Aerospace cluster; Fernando González, Key Account Manager at GECI; David Pérez Sigüenza, CEO of CUBICOFF; Carlos Gómez Rodríguez, International Trade Analyst at Andalucía Trade; and Ana Sainas Serrano, director of the Andalucía TRADE Office in Mexico.
The group held meetings with representatives from the Querétaro AeroCluster and visited the facilities of Bombardier, Lauak Aerospace Mexico and the french company Duqueine.
"We were treated very well. I would highlight the Bombardier project and its growth prospects. Lauak Aerospace plans to double its plant in the coming years, and Duqueine also forecasts significant growth. There is a great industrial dynamism throughout the ecosystem", added Alarcón de la Lastra.
The delegation also visited the Aernnova plant, where they were able to see its facilities and industrial processes, five of which have Nadcap certificates and gold or silver Merit programmes. Visits were also made to ETU Aerospace, AXON' Interconex, Querétaro International Airport, the Centre for Engineering and Industrial Development (CIDESI) and TECH OPS, broadening the vision of Querétaro's aeronautical ecosystem.
Promoting cooperation and growth in the aerospace sector
Participation in this mission reinforces our commitment to new synergies and confirms our dedication to the growth of the aerospace sector in Andalusia and its projection in the world's main aeronautical hubs.
This experience has left us with a shared feeling that collaboration and trust continue to be the best way to grow the aerospace industry from Andalusia to the rest of the world.
