OREANDA-NEWS. May 15, 2015. Hardide plc (AIM: HDD), the provider of advanced surface coating technology, is pleased to announce that as part of its plans to develop further its opportunities within the civil and military aerospace sectors, Stewart Gibson has been appointed to the newly-created position of Business Development Manager, Hardide Aerospace Coatings Ltd, with effect from 1 July 2015.

Stewart is a highly experienced specialist within the advanced surface coatings industry, has in-depth knowledge of the aerospace sector and extensive business development expertise.  

Over the past 30 years, Stewart has held senior operational and sales positions in Bodycote Surface Technology, Renold Power Transmission, Vickers Engineering, Praxair and Hawker Siddeley Group.  He joins from Castolin Eutectic where he was Global Coatings Manager with responsibilities that included customer and product diversification.

Hardide is in the final stages of the qualification programme with Airbus and is in a development process with AgustaWestland.  The Company is also in a programme to achieve the global aerospace 'Nadcap' accreditation and expects to apply for final certification before the end of 2015.

Commenting on the announcement, Philip Kirkham, CEO of Hardide plc said: 

"Stewart brings a weighty combination of experience of high technology surface coatings and the aerospace sector, together with excellent global industry contacts.  We welcome him as a strong addition to our business development team as we drive for growth and expansion in the aerospace sector."