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Suppliers' Voice
May 2001
Volume 2, No. 3
Suppliers Preparing for Aerospace Future
By Bill Lewandowski, AIA Vice President, Supplier Management
Challenged by AIA President John Douglass at a recent Supplier Management Council meeting, suppliers identified the most important aerospace issues in their sector that should be addressed by the Presidential Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry.
Chartered late last year by Congress, the commission in its yearlong life span is expected to assess the future of the U.S. aerospace industry in the global economy and the importance of the industry to national and economic security
The association has been identifying priority commission issues for prime contractors, original equipment manufacturers, and major subcontractors.
Suppliers are included in commission fact-finding because they provide a growing percentage of content in aerospace products, opportunities for cost reduction and efficiency, and new technologies. Issues that challenge supplier survival and growth need to be addressed by the commission.
After Douglass’ challenge, AIA and associate member representatives divided into groups to study supplier issues.
The groups reported that most supplier issues center on topics already identified by AIA but enhanced by views from the supplier perspective.
Two examples:
- In addition to the need to attract and retain technical and engineering talent in competition with the computer and Internet industries, suppliers require workers skilled in industrial handiwork and with enough computer knowledge to work in modern manufacturing centers.
- Suppliers view DoD programs as inherently risky because decisions to build and fund can be changed or cancelled, potentially affecting supplier decisions to invest. Multiyear programs help cash flow and are less likely to be cancelled.
Suppliers need asssurance of program stability to maximize their investments.
Other supplier issues identified include the impact of offsets, access to government R&D, reform of import and export rules for suppliers, a need for a long-term national vision, educational initiatives, government e-business, obsolescence of electronic materials and components, and an imbalance in global competition caused by regulations.
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Spectra Lux Adds New Service
Spectra Lux Corporation has expanded its capabilities with the addition of Avionics Packaging Service, designed to let avionics OEMs focus on their core strengths by outsourcing the necessary but less critical components of system design.
Using Avionics Packaging Services, Spectra Lux designs and integrates the keyboard, display, and mechanical enclosure, while the customer develops the software and proprietary content. Spectra Lux can then perform the final assembly and test functions or send the completed subassembly to the customer.
The new service responds to the needs of avionics primes to introduce more new products through better utilization of their in-house technical staff.
Spectra Lux has been designing, building, and testing lightplates, keyboards, and electronic assemblies since 1973. The company uses a system perspective during its design and development process to provide right-the-first-time products that fully meet customer expectations.
Based in Kirkland, Wash., the firm serves AIA members Boeing, Honeywell, and Litton.
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TWA Launches Friendly Web
Trans World Alloys (TWA) Co., an AIA SMC member, recently launched the first phase of its new state-of-the-art company Web site (www.twalloys.com).
The site incorporates many user-friendly features enabling customers to easily navigate through various TWA products, programs, and services. Its centerpiece is an easy-to-use Request for Quote (RFQ) page that incorporates a series of pull-down menus.
Data entry is significantly reduced when the menus are used with any standard Web browser’s auto-fill feature. Complete AMS, ASTM/ASME and Mil-T specifications and a handy weight calculator are a click away.
"Our goal," said Mike Dome, vice president of e-commerce, "is to provide purchasing professionals with an e-commerce tool that improves the overall Web-based RFQ and buying experience. Once submitted, RFQs are immediately e-mailed to our sales office and answered the same business day."
If additional information is required, the Contacts page provides a direct e-mail link to key TWA personnel, including a picture of the person at that address.
The site is generating a lot of interest, according to Rick Goerke, TWA sales manager. "We have experienced a significant increase in RFQ traffic, and we are responding with pricing and delivery information immediately."
Trans World Alloys is a leading provider of aerospace-quality raw materials to aircraft manufacturers and sub-tier suppliers.
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Supplier Management Council Meeting
An Evening with AIA’s Executive Committee
July 11, 2001
Washington, D.C.
The summer meeting of the Supplier Management Council (SMC) will take place in conjunction with the AIA Executive Committee meeting.
At a reception and dinner on July 11, 2001, SMC members will have the opportunity to socialize and discuss industry issues with corporate leaders, including the following:
Michael R. Brown, Litton Industries
Daniel P. Burnham, Raytheon
Nicholas D. Chabraja, General Dynamics
Vance D. Coffman, Lockheed Martin
John W. Douglass, AIA
Robert D. Johnson, Honeywell
Karl J. Krapek, United Technologies
Marshall O. Larsen, BFGoodrich
Mark H. Ronald, BAE SYSTEMS
Harry C. Stonecipher, Boeing
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STADCO Adding New Capabilities
SMC Member STADCO is installing the largest electron beam welder in the United States, providing a product envelope 362 inches long by 108 inches wide and 132 inches high.
The gun motion control is fully computerized in X, Y, Z, rotary, and tilt gun axes, making it capable of joining large irregular shapes at a fraction of the time of conventional welding. The electron beam chamber, which begins production in June, will include an x-ray facility of similar dimensions.
Since 1941 STADCO has built a reputation for taking on difficult design, engineering, and manufacturing projects with exacting tolerances and completing them on schedule. The company uses a variety of materials, including aluminum, composites, high-strength steels, titanium, Inconel, Invar, and other exotic metals.
STADCO capabilities include design and manufacture of Invar tooling for composites for programs such as the Bell Textron V-22 and 407, the Boeing/Sikorsky RAH-66, the Sikorsky S-92, and the Lockheed Martin F-22.
The firm is the sole supplier for machining the Space Shuttle solid rocket motor casings, extremely large parts made of expensive raw material requiring zero defects.
An ongoing apprenticeship program, sanctioned by the National Tooling and Machining Association, prepares candidates for leadership roles in the company. Many managers, including two vice presidents, began as apprentices.
STADCO holds ISO 9002 registration.
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Manzi Completing ISO 9002 Certification
Manzi Metals, Inc., a distributor of raw metals in all shapes and sizes, is completing its ISO 9002 certification with a grant recently awarded by the State of Florida.
Started in 1993 by Barbara Manzi, the company is a woman-owned, minority, small disadvantaged business that has been surveyed and certified 8(a) by several prime contractors and state and federal authorities.
Ms. Manzi has received several awards for outstanding service, including "Woman of Enterprise 2000" from the Avon Corp., "Women In Business" from the Business Journal of Tampa, "Women-Owned Business in 1995" from Lockheed Martin, and "Partner in Quality For Outstanding Performance" from Raytheon.
The company is located in Brooksville, Fla., and has sales representative in New York and Georgia.
Manzi has a nationwide customer base and a reputation of handling all orders with outstanding service and quality control.
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