Ministerial visit highlights aerospace programs, manufacturing capabilities and regional industrial strength at Asco, a subsidiary of Montana Aerospace
Montana Aerospace subsidiary Asco Industries (Asco) was honored to welcome Matthias Diependaele, Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister of Economy, Innovation and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Digitization and Facility Management, to its facilities in Zaventem on January 15. The visit provided valuable insights into the research and design capabilities and manufacturing capacity of the Zaventem site, illustrating the factory’s technological expertise and long-standing experience in the aerospace and defense industry.
Visit to the shop floor and key aerospace programs
As part of the guided tour, the Minister-President visited the production areas. Particular attention was provided to innovative projects supporting on one hand the green transition of commercial aerospace as well as cutting edge technology for 6th gen fighter aircraft developments on the other hand. In addition to structural parts and critical components for civil aviation, programs for military aircraft were also showcased, including the F-35 and the A400M. A highlight of the visit was the presentation of an F-35 bulkhead manufactured at Asco, illustrating the site’s technological expertise and long-standing aerospace experience.
Strengthening partnerships and regional capabilities
“Today’s visit to Asco demonstrates once again how Flemish industrial excellence and high‑tech innovation reinforce our strategic capabilities. As the Flemish Government, we emphasize the importance of building a resilient and future‑proof defense industry in Flanders. With the VISD programme and the Defense Industry Action Plan, we are strengthening the entire ecosystem, from research and design to advanced manufacturing. Asco’s work on cutting‑edge aerospace and defense programs, including next‑generation fighter aircraft, shows how Flemish know‑how contributes to our regional economy, to Europe’s security and to transatlantic cooperation.” said Minister-President Matthias Diependaele
“It is an honor for us as Montana Aerospace to welcome Minister-President Diependaele to our Zaventem site. The visit highlights the importance of close cooperation between the aerospace industry and public institutions and reflects our shared commitment to strengthening industrial competence and strategic capacity in Belgium and Europe,” said Kai Arndt, CEO of Montana Aerospace.
Jérôme Morhet, CEO of Asco, added: “For more than 70 years, Asco has been a reliable industrial partner for leading civil and military aerospace programs. Our highly qualified production in Zaventem combines innovation and technological excellence with long-standing customer relationships and makes a significant contribution to industrial value creation in Flanders. The visit of Minister-President Diependaele clearly demonstrated the importance of Asco Belgium for the regional economy, and the future development of the European aerospace industry and the Transatlantic cooperation.”
Local manufacturing excellence within a globally integrated aerospace group
Montana Aerospace operates as a globally active aerospace manufacturing group with worldwide locations, following a one-stop-shop business model. Asco Industries, founded in Belgium in 1954, is a core pillar of the group and specializes in the design and manufacturing of structural parts and (sub)assemblies made of titanium, high-strength steel alloys, aluminum and composites for civil and military aircraft. Its cutting-edge solutions meet the highest customer requirements for mission-critical parts and complex (sub)assemblies for wings, engines, fuselages and landing gear, including high-lift devices, structural (sub)assemblies, functional components and attachments.
The visit reinforced the importance of strong regional aerospace capabilities as part of a globally connected and resilient European industrial base.