MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Five Alabama aerospace, AI and defense companies will be part of their industries’ premier exhibition next week at the Farnborough International Airshow.
The companies will be on site as part of the Alabama Department of Commerce’s industry recruitment and trade mission.
“International trade shows like the Farnborough and the Paris Air Shows are premier opportunities for Alabama to demonstrate the depth of its aerospace and defense capabilities to a global audience,” said Christina Stimpson, chief officer of Commerce’s Global Business Office. “Bringing together representatives from long-established industry leaders to emerging startups that chose Alabama as their launchpad illustrates the strength of our innovation ecosystem and the exceptional opportunities available in the Yellowhammer State.”
The companies that will be in the state’s Made in Alabama booth at Farnborough are:
Maximum Technology Corporation
Capabilities on display
This will be the Birmingham-based Analytical AI team’s first trip to Farnborough, but their technology has already landed in the United Kingdom.
Founded in 2019 in Birmingham, Analytical AI uses advanced threat detection to improve security at airports, border checkpoints and military installations, among other locations and military security uses.
The software developer’s automated threat recognition algorithms were used in the body scans of the thousands of airshow attendees as they entered Farnborough in 2022.
Its clients already include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Patrol, the Army, the Air Force and private clients. Analytical currently has a solution being tested by the UK Border Force.
Now, being part of Alabama’s delegation to Farnborough will put Analytical AI before a new market of potential customers, including international airports, defense contractors and security equipment manufacturers, said co-founder and CEO Mark Froehlich.
“We’re excited about Farnborough, we think it’s a great opportunity for us to show our capabilities,” Froehlich said.
The company’s motto is, “If you can see it, we can solve it” and its predictive AI can be used to spot threats in crowds.
“We’ve built a very good reputation with our government customers and that’s really important in this business,” he said.
Now, the Birmingham-based company is looking to expand its international footprint.
“If we can show our capabilities to companies that have a need, that is an opportunity for us to work together,” Froehlich said.
Expanding reach
For Fairhope-based Segers, a 50-year-old aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul service provider, Farnborough is about new opportunities and partnerships.
“Alabama continues to be one of the fastest-growing aerospace hubs in the United States. The state benefits from a strong workforce, a business-friendly environment and the presence of major aerospace and defense organizations,” said Segers President and CEO Christo Kok. “For Segers, we see opportunities to continue expanding our maintenance, repair, overhaul and engineering support services while supporting both domestic and international customers. More broadly, Alabama is well-positioned to attract additional aerospace investment, advanced manufacturing opportunities and supply chain growth.”
In May, Segers was one of half a dozen Alabama companies honored by Governor Kay Ivey with the Governor’s Trade Excellence Awards for their performance in international markets.
“As global demand for aerospace and defense solutions continues to evolve, Alabama companies have an opportunity to play an even larger role in supporting military readiness and emerging aerospace technologies,” Kok said.
Like many aerospace companies, Segers continues to navigate workforce development challenges, supply chain constraints and the need to keep pace with rapidly advancing technologies, Kok said.
“That said, these challenges also create opportunities,” he said. “Through collaboration between industry, educational institutions and government partners, Segers continues to invest in developing its in-house capabilities, adding new product lines and investing in other aerospace entities with the support from our shareholders.”
The Farnborough International Airshow begins Monday.
