Through the consistent assistance and promotion from the government these years, Taiwan has founded its fledgling aerospace industry. We are witnessing ever-increasing investments and annual revenue in the industry as well as a growing number of TAIA members.
Government assistance, such as the Medium-to-Long Term Loans from the Executive Yuan (cabinet) Development Funds; the "Science & Technology R&D Fund" (to fund non-profit research institutes in developing new technologies and promoting the technologies transfer to private enterprises); and the "Strategic New Products Development Fund" have all greatly contributed to the development of the domestic aerospace. With all these policies tools, Taiwan's aerospace manufacturers have expanded their business from traditional machining, such as airframe structure, engine component, and aircraft interior, etc. to high-tech products such as avionics and satellite communications, etc. In addition, great progress has also been made in international investment, risk-sharing projects, aircraft repair and maintenance and aircraft leasing businesses.
Owing to the excellent achievements TAIA members have made over the years, TAIA Member Directory become an important reference for investment consultants, aerospace manufacturers, research institutes, local and foreign banker etc. In order to fully utilized TAIA's Members directory, we add certain pages of government agency information, and change the format of Member pages.
In addition to the modification of Member pages, we also add certain pages of Association information, background of Executive Directors, Directors, Executive Supervisors and Supervisors. Most importantly, Member directory this year provides not only Member information, but also Member's promotion materials. We truly hope Member directory this year fits not our members need, but also all your need.
Best Regards
TAIA Chairman
A brief introduction of Taiwan Aerospace Industry Association
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In view of its high value-added and synergy effect, while relative less energy consumption and environmental impacts, aerospace industry has been identified by the ROC government as one of the strategy industries toward next century.
To stimulate aerospace industries, to become a major OEM parts manufacturer, to strengthen the technological capabilities, and to establish industrial infrastructure, the Executive Yuan of the ROC has promulgated the "Aerospace Industry Development Project" in 1990. Set policies of the project are:
To implement the "Development Project", ROC government has designated "Aerospace Industry" as one of the strategy industries, and has identified "Regional Aircraft", "Business Aircraft", "Aircraft Repair and Maintenance", and "Parts Manufacturing" as the four major focus of aerospace. Both the government and private sectors have considered aerospace industry one of the rising hopes for the island's future.
To draw together the island's aerospace enterprises, the Taiwan Aerospace Industry Association (TAIA), under the supervisions of ROC relative regulations, was established on Aug. 25, 1994. Set missions of TAIA include:
From its establishment, TAIA first and incumbent chairman, Mr. Jack T. Sun have had highly devoted himself in promoting Association related affairs in the past three years. Achievements under his leadership include: organizing hearing on Commercial Maintenance of Military Aircraft and Government-Own-Commercial-Operate policies at Legislation Yuan; promoting privatization of the Arsenals, and the Air Force Air Material Command Area; assisting Member's utilization of off-set credit (industrial cooperation program); Issuing "Aerospace Letter" & "TAIA Notice" regularly announcing Association related activities and distributing aerospace related news; organizing trade group, supplier conference, symposium, seminar, and exhibitions; assisting Member's utilization of governmental incentive programs, subsidies; assisting Members participation of governmental R & D programs etc.
By 1997, the number of aerospace manufacturers in Taiwan had reached 239, an almost five-fold increase from 50 in 1992, roughly 15% growth per annual. Within 5 years since its emergent, TAIA had become a family of more than 70 members, with additional two or three join monthly.
Certifications, only, by which aerospace manufacturers are qualified to be suppliers to airline and aircraft manufacturers, are always key indicators of aerospace development in a country. In 1992, there are only eight aerospace firms on the island holding 209 aerospace related products and process certificates. However, by the end of 1997, both number increased to 58 firms and 395 certificates respectively. Certificates issued organization and companies include: FAA (Federal Aviation Association), Pratt & Whitney, GEAE, McDonnell Douglas, Boeing, Lockheed Martine, AlliedSignal, Northrop Grumman, Bell, and Sikorsky etc.
Investment is also an important indicator of an industry. By 1997, total investment of local companies in aerospace accumulated to approximately US$730 million, which was US$180 million in 1993. Meanwhile, total sell (excluding military aircraft) had tripled its amount from US$316 million in 1992 to US$1.13 billion in 1997. Estimate aerospace sell of 1998 is predicted to be in the range of US$1.22 billion.
Undoubtedly, only handful well-known manufacturers, such as Boeing, Airbus and Lockheed Martin dominate the production and distribution of aerospace products. There is no shortcut for emergent companies and countries, like Taiwan, to be successful without heavy investment at the early stage of its aerospace development in certification, quality improvement and technology transfer.
To enter this severe competition aerospace market, local entrepreneurs and companies in Taiwan have actively seeking opportunities of International Corporation, technology transfer, and risk-sharing program. Examples of international aerospace programs involved by local manufacturers at currently stage are:
TAIA provides a host of member services as follow: