IPC Mouldings has achieved SC21 Gold for an eighth consecutive year – holding the award every year since 2019 – our Carrickfergus team among a small group of UK organisations, and in the top 2% of ADS SC21 participants in the UK, has been recognised for consistent quality, delivery and continuous improvement.

We marked the achievement at Farnborough International Airshow in July 2026, joined by Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS Group, and Emma Little-Pengelly, deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.

SC21 is a continuous improvement programme coordinated and governed by ADS, the UK trade association for the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors. It aims to improve performance and competitiveness across the UK aerospace supply chains.

Companies can work towards this accreditation through assessments covering quality, delivery and business improvement. To retain Gold, recipients must record more than 99% on-time delivery and at least 99.99% quality compliance each year.

IPC began its SC21 progress with Bronze in 2015, before becoming only the fifth UK business to achieve Gold. Throughout the programme we have been sponsored by Collins Aerospace, an RTX business.

Joanne Liddle, Managing Director of IPC Mouldings, said:

“Retaining SC21 Gold for an eighth year is a real achievement for our team and one I’m exceptional proud of. We must earn the standard each year, so this award reflects the hard work our people put in across the business.

“I want to thank everyone at IPC Mouldings, along with our customers, suppliers and our sponsor, Collins Aerospace, for their continued support.”

From our Carrickfergus facility, we manufacture injection-moulded parts and engineered assemblies for demanding applications. We support customers across the aircraft interiors sector by helping them solve production problems, manage costs and maintain product quality.

Our capabilities include mould tool design and manufacture, CNC machining, injection moulding and final assembly. We make parts used throughout the aircraft cabin, including food trays, latch assemblies, arm caps and video bezels.

Joanne has previously highlighted how widely our components are used:

“Next time you are flying, consider this: from Economy through to Super First Class, it is very probable that the seat you are sitting on includes parts manufactured in Northern Ireland by IPC Mouldings.”

Our parts continue to be used in aircraft cabins across the globe.

In March, the Managing Director of aerospace supply chain partner IPC Mouldings, Joanne Liddle, was awarded the prestigious Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by HRH The Princess Royal, at a formal investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle in recognition of her commitment and services to the aerospace sector in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland has long been recognised as a global centre of excellence in aerospace manufacturing, with a proud heritage of engineering innovation and advanced technologies. The sector remains a cornerstone of the regional economy, supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs, driving exports, and positioning Northern Ireland as a world leader in high-value manufacturing.

Through her leadership at IPC Mouldings, Joanne has played an important role in strengthening this reputation. Her strategic vision has supported the growth of precision engineering and advanced manufacturing capabilities that serve aerospace and other demanding sectors, reinforcing Northern Ireland’s standing on the international stage.

Congratulating Joanne on her MBE, Alan Henning, Chair of ADS NI and Director of Operations at Collins Aerospace, said: “Joanne’s MBE is extremely well deserved. She’s been an outstanding advocate for Northern Ireland’s aerospace sector and a valued voice on the ADS NI Council. Her leadership at IPC Mouldings, combined with her dedication to skills development and mentoring the next generation, exemplifies the quality and commitment that makes our industry world-leading. We’re proud to celebrate this recognition with her.”

Brendan McGuigan, Director of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering at Invest NI added: “I am delighted that Joanne has been recognised for her work within the aerospace sector. IPC Mouldings is at the forefront of the industry supply chain, with its engineers manufacturing components for an estimated two million commercial aircraft seats right here in Northern Ireland. Joanne has helped IPC Mouldings to evolve, and the company is now recognised around the world for its products and expertise.”

Joanne’s MBE also recognises her extensive contribution beyond IPC Mouldings. She serves as a Board Member of AEL, a social enterprise dedicated to creating meaningful employment opportunities. As a Steering Group Member of the Manufacturing Task Force (MTF) at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Joanne helps to shape regional industrial strategy and growth. In addition, she is also a Member of the ADS NI Council, supporting the advancement of the aerospace, space and security sectors, and a Member of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Council, contributing to the wider business voice of the region.

Commenting on Joanne’s MBE, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Mayor Jackson Minford said: “Joanne is very well deserving of her MBE.  She has been a great advocate for the manufacturing industry in Northern Ireland and, in particular, a strong supporter of the Mid and East Antrim area. 

“Through Joanne, IPC Mouldings is involved in STEM activities, offering visits to local schools, in addition to placements, intern opportunities and apprenticeship programmes. The company is also part of the Council’s Manufacturing Task Force (MTF) with Joanne at the fore of ensuring the development of initiatives that support our local industry.”

Passionate about developing future talent, Joanne actively mentors young people through Sisters IN, encouraging more young women to consider careers in manufacturing, engineering and leadership. Her commitment to inclusivity and skills development continues to make a tangible difference across the sector.

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to industry, Joanne was also inducted into the Manufacturing NI Hall of Fame in 2025 — a further testament to her impact and influence within UK manufacturing.

Speaking after the ceremony at Windsor Castle, Joanne said: “It is an incredible honour to receive an MBE. I am proud to represent Northern Ireland’s manufacturing and aerospace community. This recognition belongs to the talented teams I work alongside every day and to the wider industry that continues to innovate and compete globally.”

Colleagues and industry partners have praised Joanne’s collaborative leadership style, her focus on sustainable growth, and her determination to ensure that manufacturing remains a vibrant and attractive career path for future generations.

Northern Ireland’s aerospace supply chain is surging ahead, emerging as one of the standout performers in advanced manufacturing as global demand for new aircraft and cabin upgrades gathers pace. Fresh data from industry body ADS shows commercial aircraft orders climbing sharply by 83% in early 2026, reaching their highest February level in three years. The figures underscore the sustained momentum in the global aerospace market and signal a wave of new opportunities for the region’s highly specialised supply chain companies.

With the UK providing more than 30% of all aircraft seats and over 7% of the world’s aircraft cabin interiors, three Northern Ireland-based companies—IPC Mouldings in Carrickfergus, The Exact Group in Newry, and Bradfor Ltd in Rostrevor—are benefitting from this surge in demand through the supply of injection moulded components and assemblies, advanced coatings and engineered parts, and high-performance textiles to major global aerospace manufacturers.

Collectively, the companies have reported strong growth in recent years, driven by their customer-centric strategies, ongoing investment in innovation, and continuous process improvements. This approach enables them to anticipate evolving customer requirements while meeting increasingly stringent environmental standards.

IPC Director Graeme Bennett said:
“Our technical plastic components and assemblies for aircraft seating are currently used in over two million commercial aircraft seats worldwide, with demand for new aircraft interiors being driven in part by high-volume retrofit and cabin upgrade programmes.

“Not only does this reflect the expertise and dedication of our team, but it also reinforces our commitment to investing in innovation and sustainable manufacturing to support the future growth of the aerospace sector.”

As a manufacturer of high-precision CNC components, advanced coatings and engineered solutions, The Exact Group has also experienced significant growth, securing new Tier 1 and OEM customers.

Ronan Callan, Exact Group’s Director of Operations commented:
“As a trusted supply chain provider to top-tier companies, we have delivered major projects for leading global aerospace manufacturers, including as certified applicators of Cerakote since 2021. This innovative coating is helping customers move towards net zero targets by enabling more eco-friendly and carbon-neutral solutions.

“Over the past four years, we have gained strong traction across the aircraft interiors sector, with key contracts secured. The use of advanced coatings has helped reduce processing time and costs, while also lowering the overall weight of components.”

Bradfor Ltd, based in Rostrevor, is celebrating 30 years of supplying premium aircraft textiles and seat components to airlines worldwide. Its reputation for quality, innovation and reliability has enabled the company to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global market.Product Development/Account Manager Francis McCartan of Bradfor Ltd said:
“Our success is built on expertise and dependability as a supply chain partner, consistently delivering high-quality, value-added products and services in a cost-effective and timely manner.”

All three companies will showcase their capabilities at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg as part of Invest Northern Ireland’s trade mission. The event provides an important platform to engage with global airlines and OEMs, demonstrate Northern Ireland’s expertise, and highlight the region’s ability to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions for next-generation aircraft interiors.

“The continued rise in aircraft orders and deliveries signals strong confidence in the aviation sector and presents significant opportunities for companies like ours,” said Graeme Bennett. “However, maintaining this momentum will depend on how effectively the industry can respond to ongoing supply chain challenges and build resilience in an increasingly unpredictable global environment.”

Northern Ireland’s aerospace supply chain companies remain focused on collaboration and innovation. Their shared ethos—‘Stronger together, by building a better supply chain, excellence can be achieved’—underscores their commitment to advancing the aerospace industry.

Here at IPC Mouldings, we are committed to investing in young people with the aim of inspiring them to consider a future career in engineering.

Northern Ireland has a reputation as a strong engineering and manufacturing hub and at IPC Mouldings we are keen to showcase to our younger generation the opportunities available to them, particularly in the exciting aerospace and space sectors.

We service customers from around the globe and are proud to be part of various initiatives in Northern Ireland that offer apprentices the chance to learn on the job with our skilled workforce and earn while they learn, all from our base in Carrickfergus.

IPC Mouldings recently attended the ADS NI Apprentice Reception in February 2026, held in Stormont and sponsored by Collins Aerospace.  This event gave us the opportunity to connect with industry peers and recognise the contribution of apprentices and early careers professionals across Northern Ireland.
We were represented by our Operations Manager John McPherson and Engineering Manager Rajeev Mathew alongside our apprentices Lewis Pratt and Jack Jones. This marked Lewis and Jack’s second year at the reception, highlighting their consistent development and the growing role they play within our team. We are very proud of the progress they have made and look forward to seeing what they go on to achieve.
 
Held during Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2026, the reception reinforced a simple point. If we want a strong manufacturing base and sustainable sector growth, we must keep investing in practical engineering skills and in the people building their careers within it.

This is very much at the fore of IPC Mouldings’ commitment to encouraging young people to pursue a career in the industry and we are continually investing in ways in which we can deliver our services more efficiently and keep up to date with our peers.

One way we are doing this is through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme which is a subsidised three way partnership between a business, a high calibre graduate and an academic institution.  This ongoing programme has enabled us to drive the digital transformation within IPC Mouldings, delivering significant progress in digitising our core operational workflows and strengthening our data infrastructure.

Our goal is to move from manual processes to automated, scalable systems that support faster decision making and more efficient resource utilisation. Collaboration has also been a key part of this journey. We’ve enjoyed working alongside other KTP associates and recently hosted and attended company visits with teams from Donite Plastics and Kiverco, sharing knowledge and strengthening cross industry innovation.

Another initiative we are involved with is the Earn While You Learn Work+ scheme. In partnership with Workplus and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s E-hub, we provide apprenticeships for level two and level three engineering students.

By partnering with Workplus, which was established in 2019 to help employers and apprentices connect, we provide successful applicants with comprehensive training within a manufacturing environment, and on successful completion of their apprenticeship, the possibility of a career within our company.  As an award-winning provider of injection moulded parts, IPC Mouldings is committed to providing career opportunities to the next generation of engineers and investing in our people to offer on the job training and support.

IPC Mouldings is proud to have recently received the Impact Award from Autism NI in recognition of our commitment to inclusion in our workplace.

Autism is a lifelong condition that affects how a person communicates and interacts with others and how they experience their environment. With over 35,000 autistic people in Northern Ireland (www.autismni.org) only 3 in 10 are in full time employment and of that just 35% of those who are working are fully open about their condition at work for fear of discrimination or lack of understanding (Buckland Review of Autism Employment 2024).

At IPC Mouldings we are determined to help address this by increasing our staff knowledge of autism and how to better support neurodivergent employees and build a diverse and talented workforce that recognises and celebrates diversity.

Our staff undertook the CPD-certified Autism NI Impact Award training course which helped us to better understand the needs of our neurodiverse community both from our employees’ perspectives and also from our customers to build confidence and skills in supporting neurodivergent people.

By undertaking the training, we were able to assess our workplace and make relevant changes to create a truly autism-accessible environment.  With the support of Autism NI, we developed an action plan to make IPC Mouldings more accessible for our customers and employees.

We have appointed two Impact Champions, Wendy Brown and Alan Welsh who have made IPC Mouldings a welcoming and autism-friendly place to work and who will continue to ensure our employees are supported as we continue our journey of inclusion.

Positive takeaways from our training included:

• Building a neuro-inclusive workplace makes good business sense
• Employees feel valued and supported which reduces stress and improves motivation
• Enables employees to perform their duties effectively, increasing productivity
• Creates a dynamic and resilient organisation
• Widens talent pool of prospective employees
• Ensures our organisation is compliant with all equality and disability legislation

As a leading supplier of injection-moulded parts to the aerospace industry; a sector whose continued growth highlights the need for us to have an increased skilled workforce to undertake new orders, there is opportunity for neurodiverse applicants to come on the journey with us.

Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our business, we are firm believers that every employee should be valued and supported here at IPC Mouldings.  By receiving the Impact Award, this affirms our commitment to providing a workplace where autistic people can reach their full potential.

We would encourage other companies to join us and take part in the Impact Award training scheme.  

To find more out contact Autism NI  https://autismni.org/training-courses/training-for-organisations/impact-award-for-businesses

Our Managing Director Joanne Liddle recently had the opportunity to attend a roundtable at Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel with deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly BL MLA and local manufacturers including The Exact Group, Doran Precision Engineering Ltd, Donite Plastics, McGreevy Engineering and RTA International.

AMIC also took part in the discussion alongside Diane Forsythe MLA and Phillip Brett MLA.

The roundtable focussed on how local Northern Ireland-based companies currently support the global aerospace market through the supply chain sector.

Participants in the roundtable had the opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in scaling up, the crucial role of local companies in the global aerospace supply chain and how to further increase engineering productivity.

During the discussion, Joanne highlighted IPC Mouldings’ strategy – quality and scale without compromise – and our role in strengthening our region’s global standing through the supply of injection moulded components and assemblies.  Joanne also discussed our commitment to long-term partnerships, and the vital contribution Northern Irish companies make to keeping the global aerospace sector competitive.

Northern Ireland is recognised globally for its dynamic aerospace industry, built on a strong engineering heritage and rich expertise. Major aerospace corporations rely on Northern Ireland’s dependable supply chain for high-quality, value-added products and services, delivered cost-effectively and punctually.

Thank you to Collins Aerospace for hosting the roundtable and giving all the attendees the opportunity to learn more and enjoy a forward-looking discussion about the aerospace sector in Northern Ireland.

At IPC Mouldings we pride ourselves on our ability to meet our customers’ needs and as a company we are committed to investing in our employees by way of continuous training and development.

This also applies to our senior management team as it is essential that they provide confident leadership to the overall staff team to ensure we best meet our customers’ demands.

Joanne Liddle, our Managing Director and Graeme Bennett our Director and General Manager have recently completed a nine month Leadership Team – Ambition to Scale programme with Invest NI which offered valuable insights and reinforced our vision of the future.  

The Leadership Team – Ambition to Scale programme is designed to help senior management to develop the right company structures and processes to support business growth, help with strategy and business development, building upon team cohesion and drive a culture of transformation to enable ambitious growth. 

As a company, IPC Mouldings works closely with Invest NI and its aerospace team to drive productivity and global competitiveness. By participating in the Invest NI leadership programme, Joanne and Graeme had the opportunity to explore and enhance IPC’s leadership and operational capabilities.

In addition to empowering business leaders by building essential leadership skills, the course also provided a comprehensive assessment of our business performance.  With the continued shift towards digitalisation and AI, how we work is changing and our team look to the leaders for stability and clarity as the company continues to evolve and change.

Within IPC Mouldings, our core areas are Our People, Our Operations and Our Customers and the leadership programme enabled Joanne and Graeme to identify which cultural elements need changed versus what should remain constant, establishing new ways of working and ensuring our people embrace change and never feel left behind or devalued.

Following the completion of the course, Joanne commented on her experience and said: “The programme really challenges you as a business leader to stop and take stock of how you are currently managing your business and how best you can develop the right company structures and processes to support business growth, implement strategy and business development and to build upon team cohesion to help drive a culture of transformation to enable ambitious growth which will all be of huge benefit to IPC Mouldings.

“Thanks to everyone who helped deliver the course – Invest NI, the Irish Management Institute and Wilson Sloan Consulting.”

The nine month course provided Joanne and Graeme with the tools and techniques that they can utilise to strengthen the whole work force at IPC Mouldings and ensure we continue to evolve and meet our customers’ needs in the years to come.

Find out more about Invest NI’s leadership programme here:

https://www.investni.com/support-for-business/leadership-and-capability-development/leadership-team-ambition-to-scale-programme