AIRCELLE Safran, Burnley’s largest private sector employer, has announced a major new deal with a neighbouring firm.

The aerospace manufacturer has agreed a contract with Velocity Composites that it hopes will lead to “significant savings” on material costs and improve productivity.

The five-year deal will see Velocity provide Aircelle with engineered structural and consumable material kits.

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Aircelle’s managing director, Stéphane Cueille, said: “We are delighted to sign this deal with Velocity Composites. They have worked with Aircelle since their formation and this deal demonstrates both how far they have progressed, and also our great confidence in their processes. Velocity will provide a first-class service that will enable Aircelle to be more competitive and will ensure our customers can rely on us.”

Velocity, which was founded with Aircelle’s support in 2007 as a three-man business, now employs 85 people and expects its regional workforce to exceed 100 in 2015.

Its operations director, Chris Banks, said: “We’ve worked with Aircelle’s since 2007. Their since we founded the business in 2007. Their support has been critical to our growth and we’re privileged to work with this world-class firm.”

We’re continuing to grow and that means we’re creating high quality well-paid jobs for people in east Lancashire. Velocity is the epitome of the high growth manufacturing businesses that will help the UK to rebalance the economy.”