The Mouscron-based company Feronyl that manufactures parts for the aerospace industry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the American defense company Lockheed Martin. It includes the manufacture of some components for the F-35 fighter that might replace the Belgian F-16.
According to Feronyl’s managers, signing this MoU could bring significant additional work to the company’s facility. Furthermore, it could enable Feronyl to develop and increase its expertise.
“Lockheed Martin is very excited to strengthen its collaboration with Feronyl Belgium and to mutually explore research and development opportunities that will further make Feronyl one of the best value-added suppliers. We are also enthusiastic about building up our presence in multiple key markets.” stated Gregory Day, F-35 Business Development Manager for Lockheed Martin in Belgium.
100% family-owned company
Founded in 1950 by Denis Dedecker, Feronyl has been specialized in the manufacture of high-precision parts, notably in injection moulding of technical parts in plastic, composite and metallic materials.
Since 1980, this 100% family-owned company has entered the aerospace industry that now accounts for 35% of its turnover. It also produces parts for other sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry or the civil engineering sector.
Feronyl’s CEO, Phillipe Dedecker, explained that the aim of the collaboration with Lockheed Martin “is not only to bring an exceptional product to the market but also to create an economic added-value for Belgium.”
Agreements with the Belgian industry
In January, Lockheed Martin and one of its supplier Pratt & Whitney also signed other Memorandum of Understanding with key actors of the Belgian aerospace industry.
The first Agreement concerns ASCO Industries in Zaventem, which already manufactures important parts for the F-35. The second one implies Belgium Engine Center (BEC) set in Herstal and Pratt & Whitney which manufactures the F-135 engine of the F-35 Lightning II.
As part of the procedure launched by the Belgian Minister of Defence for the purchase of new combat aircraft, the F-35 is in competition with the Typhoon manufactured by the European consortium Eurofighter while France is proposing the Dassault Rafale.
The Best and Final Offers are to be submitted for February, 14 and the Federal Government is expected to provide its candidate choice by mid-May 2018.
Moreover, in order to tackle new markets and to identify new prospects, Feronyl took part in several events in collaboration with the Walloon Export and Foreign Investment Agency (AWEX) in Germany and France. The company also benefited from an incentive to be individually present at professional and international fairs and exhibitions organised abroad.