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By Bill Lewandowski, AIA Vice President, Supplier Management Supply chain integration has been the primary focus of the Supplier Management Council (SMC) this year under the leadership of SMC Chairman Vince Hrenak, vice president, Supply Chain for Raytheon Company. Previously, in the January/February 2004 and May 2004 issues of The Suppliers' Voice, Hrenak discussed the concept of supply chain integration, its objectives, and SMC strategies for strengthening its value. At the first SMC meeting in March, suppliers and customers participated in a workshop on guiding AIA associate members on industry expectations and an approach for implementation. Suppliers were directed to look internally at their processes, procedures, and operations with the goal of making them as efficient and lean as possible. Integration with customers, suppliers, and teammates would be the next logical step. Key to these internal and external requirements is accurate, instantaneous information, data, and communications from one end of the supply chain to the other. This is the glue that will hold the aerospace supply chain together in being globally competitive in the future. The hi-tech software services companies that are now becoming members of AIA and the SMC are the glue makers. The question that needs to be answered is how the value-add suppliers who directly contribute to the final aerospace product can become acquainted with the capability and technology provided by these "glue" companies so they can choose what is best for themselves. AIA needs to ensure that discussions remain at the capability and technology level and don't lean toward specific products or solutions that could appear as promoting one AIA member over another. At the fall SMC meeting a workshop with services companies was held to discuss this need and develop an understanding of the restrictions for transferring knowledge about capability and technology to suppliers. A services working group to continue the effort will begin in earnest in January 2005. Back to the Supplier Voice topics PTC Wins Army Knowledge Award for Software The U.S. Army has recognized AIA associate member PTC with an Army Knowledge Award. The award is part of an Army program that acknowledges outstanding enterprise knowledge management solutions that have improved situational awareness and decision making. PTC's Windchill software was honored as a significant part of the Army's Advanced Collaborative Environment (ACE) for its Future Combat System (FCS) program. Windchill is used in the ACE initiative to enable the collaborative design, development, testing, production, and support of weapons systems. PTC was selected by Boeing, the lead systems integrator for the FCS program. "This award is tremendously encouraging for the team that created and maintains ACE," said Rich Crispo, director of the Boeing ACE integrated product team. "Two years ago, we started with five people and a set of customer requirements, and today we're 130-strong and growing. "It's very gratifying to know the Army appreciates what we and our partner, PTC, have accomplished," he added. PTC develops, markets, and supports software solutions and serves more than 35,000 customers worldwide. PTC is included in the S&P 500 and Russell 2000 indices. Back to the Supplier Voice topics Plymouth Wins Preferred Supplier Award  Representatives of AIA associate member Plymouth Extruded Shapes (PES) accept a certification award naming the company a Boeing Preferred Supplier. Pictured from left are Hopkinsville, Ky., Mayor Rich Liebe, Don Henderson, Mike Baker, County Executive Steve Tribble, Gary Ezell, aerospace product manager for PES, Bob Vanwey, Dan Rey, Donna Haner, Tony Sabala of Boeing Wichita Commercial Division, and Karl Weiss, general manager of PES.
Back to the Supplier Voice topics Marotta Controls Introduces Lightweight Composite Valves for Naval Vessels AIA associate member Marotta Controls has introduced a new range of lightweight composite in-line valves for use on naval vessels. Made from a proprietary composite material, the valves eliminate degenerating effects of the harsh seawater environment and weigh just one-third of their metal counterparts. The composite valves can operate in a variety of naval systems, from firefighting and damage control to chilled water and vessel fuel supply lines. The composite valves can withstand shock, vibration, and heavy use as well as their metallic counterparts. Significantly, the composite material has superior corrosion-resistant characteristics and is fire retardant. The new material virtually extends the service life of the valve for nearly as long as the ship itself. Marotta Controls, Inc., a worldwide leader in motion and control solutions, has over 200 patents and more than 60 years of experience in providing customers with a wide range of fluid control systems for marine, space, aerospace, and pneumatic weapons markets. Back to the Supplier Voice topics SMC Welcomes Newest Members
Brogdon Tool & Die, Inc. GEFEG US H & H Technologies Jazz Semiconductor L. Gordon Packaging Microsemi Corporation NMC Group, Inc. NYF Corp. Parlex Corporation QuEST (Quality Engineering & Software Technologies) Pvt. Ltd. Space-Lok, Inc. Spincraft Universal Aerospace Co., Inc. 2005 Upcoming Associate Member/SMC Events Southeastern Regional Meeting Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. February 14-15, 2005 Sponsored by Embraer Aircraft Spring 2005 SMC Meeting Los Angeles, Calif. area April 2005 Paris Air Show Le Bourget, France June 13-19, 2005 Summer 2005 SMC Meeting Washington, D.C. July 12-14, 2005 Western Regional Meeting Denver, Colo. August 3-4, 2005 Sponsored by Celestica Northcentral Regional Meeting Cincinnati, Ohio October 12-13, 2005 Sponsored by GE Aircraft Engines Fall 2005 SMC Meeting Location TBD November 2005 Back to the Supplier Voice topics THE SUPPLIERS’ VOICE Contacts:
Bill Lewandowski, AIA Vice President, Supplier Management, 703-358-1090 Aerospace Industries Association 1000 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1700 Arlington, VA 22209-3901 Back to the Supplier Voice topics
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