I am the executive Managing Director of Aerosud Aviation, Director of Aerosud Holdings, African NDT centre, and Chairman of the Board of CAMASA (Commercial Aerospace Manufacturing Association of SA) and Mandela Bay Composite Cluster.I completed my Mechanical Engineering degree and subsequent post graduate studies during the 1980s, with a keen focus in Aerospace, working at the Atlas Aircraft corporation on the Rooivalk attack helicopter program, and thereafter joined Aerosud as a senior structural and systems engineer.A registered professional engineer (Aeronautical) at Engineering Council of SA, and served as a member of the Professional Advisory Committee more than 10 years, and still involved with Tertiary institutions in this role.I am very proud of what Aerosud stands for and what we have achieved over the years, through the introduction of leading technologies in manufacturing and integrated business systems. I am equally excited about the future and especially the rise and acceptance of Industry 4.0 solutions in the sector. Our relationship with large international groups, such as Airbus, Boeing, Safran and Spirit Aerosystems is testimony to the fundamental competitiveness and world class capability of the SA private aerospace industry. I believe that Aerosud and the South African Aerospace sector can thrive if we are able to create stronger networks through collaboration and partnerships – between private industry and public sector, with the aim of significantly growing the export opportunities for this sector.