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By Dave Pauling, AIA Vice President of Supplier Management AIA's Supplier Management Council (SMC) kicked off its second decade at the spring SMC conference in Charleston, S.C., in March. The council will use its past 10 years of success as a foundation to launch initiatives based on supplier issues identified in last October's Atlanta conference. SMC Chairwoman Mary Simmerman opened the conference by addressing its theme — The Suppliers' Value: A Strategic View. After touching on the SMC mission and objectives, she focused on continuous improvement of the aerospace industry supply base and enabling more efficient and effective industrywide performance outcomes in order to achieve enhanced U.S. economic health and success for our warfighters. Simmerman explained the council's relationship to AIA's Top 10 Election Issues for 2008, including the SMC's role in program life cycle performance improvements, government/industry partnerships, influence on national policies and performance-driven outcomes. She also introduced the eight SMC committees (see list below). In addition, the meeting included presentations and discussions of globalization, demographics, SMC's political footprint, technical issues, export controls, workforce recruitment and committee workshops. Almost 80 companies were represented at the conference, and about the same number of volunteers signed up for committee assignments with more sign-ups rolling in. The committees will establish goals and action plans for 2008 and 2009. This is an exciting time for aerospace industry suppliers. Through SMC committees, suppliers have an exceptional opportunity to positively influence factors that directly affect the well-being of their companies and the U.S. aerospace industry in general. Among initiatives the newly formed committees will address are:
2008 Committee Chairs Outline Goal During workshops at the SMC meeting in March, committee chairs introduced their 2008 goals and made a pitch for volunteers to serve on their committees. Committees and their chairs are: Legislative Vickie Wessel International Varun Nikore and Vince Hrenak Supplier Rating Roger Weiss Small Business Initiatives Vickie Wessel Requirements and Technology Bob Morris Continuous Process Improvement Tom Plungis Contracting Initiatives Pete Rettaliata Employee Benefits Chuck Gray For more information and to volunteer for a committee, contact Bill Peterson at william.peterson@aia-aerospace.org or (703) 358-1090. Blakey Reviews Strategic Focus in Remarks to SMC Addressing SMC members in Charleston, S.C., in March, AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey noted the significance of the region in America's past and its ties to today's aerospace industry. Blakey cited the presence at Charleston Air Force Base of the U.S. Air Force 437th Airlift Wing and the 315th Reserve Unit, carrying out airlift operations to Iraq and Afghanistan with Boeing C-17 transports. In addition, she pointed out the work that AIA member Vought Aircraft Industries performs at its nearby facility, manufacturing tail sections for Boeing 787s. "Vought and partner Alenia North America are producing more than 50 percent of the Dreamliner's game-changing composite fuselage," Blakey said. "As most of us know, the Dreamliner is a remarkable aircraft that will make the flying experience better while saving fuel for airlines, factors that have led airlines to order more than 850 of them to date. "I mention these programs because many of you are playing an important role by supplying vital components to the prime contractors. I have long known about the important role suppliers play in the aerospace industry," she told the dinner audience. Blakey said that the aerospace industry is on solid footing for the foreseeable future. She cited increases in sales, backlog, trade balance and employment as positive indicators. Regarding export controls, she noted that “this is an area of concern pretty much across AIA membership on all levels and one of our top priorities. I know that supplier companies are seeking a straightforward checklist to help determine ITAR requirements. I also understand the deep concerns that the requirements might be creating foreign-based suppliers of choice and otherwise negatively impacting the ability of U.S. suppliers to compete in the global marketplace. "Through your newly formed SMC International Committee, we are facilitating opportunities for you to network with potential global customers and, perhaps, form joint partnerships with foreign suppliers." Blakey also noted several other supplier concerns and priorities, including:
AIA will define performance goals for each of the areas and establish annual AIA work plans that measure achievement. Blakey further noted the importance of a strategic political footprint to AIA's influence. Blakey reiterated her belief in the importance of the SMC and supplier companies in our industry. "The general rule of thumb is that suppliers are responsible for about 80 percent of aerospace systems content," she said. "So you — the suppliers — are key to keeping the aerospace industry at its leadership position in the U.S. economy. In addition, you — the suppliers — are critical to our national security because of your role in enabling our military men and women to field technologically superior weapons and equipment. "Thank you for who you are and what you do." New SMC Members AIA welcomes its newest associate members: American Brazing SMC Hosts TRIAD for Small Business Advocacy AIA and the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) co-hosted the 2008 Tri-Association Advisory Panel for Small Business (TRIAD) in conjunction with the 2008 Reservation Economic Summit, the largest Native American business convention in the nation. AIA, NDIA and the Electronic Industries Alliance formed TRIAD more than 20 years ago to advocate for small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, and veteran-owned businesses. A pair of panel presentations at the Las Vegas event gave TRIAD attendees contracting insights from differing perspectives. The first was comprised of representatives from small businesses who spoke about their personal experiences in dealing with prime contractors and then answered questions from the audience. The second featured small business and disadvantaged business program managers from the Defense Department who spoke about contracting from their angle and explained how they personally help small, disadvantaged businesses gain contracts. Other presentations were made by Tim Foreman, Navy director for the Office of Small Business Programs; Gail Wegner, deputy directory for the Center for Veterans Enterprise; Ken Robins of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development; Ralph Thomas, counsel to the law firm of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC; and Leonard Greenhalgh, director of programs for minority- and women-owned businesses at Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business. |
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