Velocity Composites PLC, a leading supplier of composite material kits to industries including aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy, understands this implicitly. Their approach is fundamentally designed around the customer, tailoring everything to their unique needs and challenges to deliver tangible benefits through unrivalled service delivery.
At the forefront of Velocity’s global customer engagement strategy is James Eastbury, Chief Customer Officer. James joined Velocity in May 2020 and leads a team of technically skilled programme managers and new business engineers. His responsibility is crucial: developing and executing comprehensive multi-level plans of engagement with identified global customers, and driving the expansion of Velocity’s revenue with both existing and new customers and territories. With over a decade of experience in the aerospace raw materials division, including significant time as a Key Account Manager for Airbus at Solvay Composite Materials (now Syensqo), James brings a deep understanding of the supply chain and customer needs.
James recently embarked on a significant visit to the United States, engaging with key customers and exploring potential new partnerships in this strategically important market. While specifics regarding ongoing negotiations remain under non-disclosure agreements, the visit included interactions with a potential major customer currently involved in an RFQ (Request for Quotation) process. This underscores Velocity’s commitment to actively pursuing new opportunities and solidifying its position in the US market.
Velocity Composites has already established a strong foothold in the US, opening its first facility in Alabama. This 40,000-square-foot site, located near a GKN facility in Tallassee, Alabama, became operational and achieved the crucial Nadcap accreditation within 12 months of producing its first composite kits. This facility is key to building and supplying composite material kits for GKN’s aerostructures, incorporating Velocity’s proprietary digital technology and latest manufacturing systems. This expansion into the US represents a major milestone for the company, building on a long-standing relationship with GKN Aerospace that began in 2015. The US market is proving to be a significant driver of growth, with US sales forecasted to multiply.
For James Eastbury, face-to-face interaction and building rapport are paramount in these high-value engagements. When asked about the importance of such visits, James commented: “Building strong, personal relationships is at the heart of how we deliver unrivalled service. Our business is deeply collaborative; we succeed by understanding our customers’ worlds intimately. Being on the ground, in the US, meeting potential partners face-to-face allows us to truly listen, understand their specific challenges and ambitions, and tailor our cutting-edge solutions to deliver maximum value.”
He continued, “While our proprietary software and technology are essential for efficiency and traceability, it’s the human element – the trust built through direct engagement – that empowers us to work together effectively. My team and I are dedicated to ensuring that as Velocity expands globally, particularly here in the US, our customers feel that personal connection and have confidence in our commitment to their success.”
This strategic focus on transatlantic relationship-building comes at a potentially opportune time with the recent approval on May 8th regarding a Trump/Starmer announced UK/US trade deal which could further pave the way for strengthened economic ties and smoother transatlantic business relations, potentially benefiting companies like Velocity Composites operating across both regions.
Velocity’s core offering revolves around engineered vacuum bag material kits and structural material kits, supported by comprehensive support services. They leverage proprietary software to manage high-value, high-performance materials with digital traceability and have overall visibility of processes to develop complementary material kits while focusing on managing and reducing waste. Their support services involve working closely with customers to update documentation throughout the change process. This combination of innovative solutions, operational efficiency, and dedicated support exemplifies the “unrivalled service delivery” that Velocity aims to provide.
As Velocity Composites continues its global expansion, with sights set on capturing new opportunities in the US and Europe, the emphasis on strong customer relationships, championed by leaders like James Eastbury, remains a cornerstone of their strategy. It is this commitment to understanding customer needs and delivering tangible benefits through a combination of cutting-edge technology and dedicated personal service that positions Velocity as a trusted leader in the supply of composite kits globally.
