Virtual Enterprise seminar for Aerospace

Virtual enterprise experts, CE Consulting and Delphi & Co, are flying in from Italy to advise members of the region's aerospace sector how to join forces and win bigger contracts.

The one-day seminar, which will consider the legal implications of such collaborations, was arranged by the Entrepreneurship Unit at Lancaster University's Management School. A number of the region's leading aerospace and engineering experts will attend the seminar on Thursday to find out how smaller companies can work together to tender for big contracts and fend off competition from Europe.

The seminar will be hosted by Dr Frank Cave of the Entrepreneurship Unit who explains: "Small companies often don't have the critical mass to compete effectively for bigger projects but, by working together, they can tender for considerably larger contracts. The legal implications however can be extremely complicated so we have brought in the European experts to learn more about what constitutes a virtual enterprise and the legalities associated with such partnerships.

He added: "The seminar uses the example of the aerospace industry to demonstrate how companies can regulate their relationships in order to collaborate in a virtual enterprise. By developing co-operative strategies SMEs can achieve business development and help keep major contracts in the region. However, the concept of virtual enterprise is relevant to other industries where large complicated tender processes are common, such as the public sector or the oil industry."

Roberto Santoro of CE Consulting will consider the organisational schemes, methodology and benefits of virtual enterprise while Orian Odenbro of Rome-based legal firm Delphi & Co will look at legal templates and requirements for small companies considering such ventures.

The seminar will be held at Lancaster University's Lecture Theatre on Thursday 6th February.