Sydney, January 14, 2014 - Boeing [NYSE: BA] is expanding its relationship with Australian industry by selecting Lovitt Technologies Australia and Marand Precision Engineering to make components for the F-15 multi-role strike fighter jet.
Lovitt and Marand are part of the Defence Materiel Organisation’s Global Supply Chain (GSC) Program, which works with the Boeing Office of Australian Industry Capability (OAIC) to match Boeing to the capabilities of Australian industry.
“Boeing continues to develop tremendous value in Australia by working with local defence industry partners to build capability and deliver products into our global supply chain,” said Ian Thomas, president of Boeing Australia & South Pacific. “Through the OAIC, Boeing has issued contracts totalling more than US$285 million to highly skilled Australian companies over the past five years.”
“The fact that Lovitt has been able to break into a program for which Australia is not a current customer is evidence that the GSC program is working really well,” said Marcus Ramsey, Lovitt Technologies managing director. “It is a definite source of pride knowing that Lovitt’s high-quality work is a part of multiple Boeing aircraft platforms that serve the needs of customers all over the world.”
Lovitt will manufacture trailing edge fairings for the F-15, the fifth Boeing aircraft program it will supply. The company now makes components for the Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter, the CH-47 Chinook helicopter and the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor.
Marand, in its first defence contract with Boeing, will supply fuel tank installation equipment, specialised hand tools and structural support pieces.
“This contract is a great step for us in extending our relationship with Boeing in both work scope and outside of Australia,” said Rob Kusters, Marand Precision Engineering, Aerospace and Defence Manager.
In addition to the F-15 work, both companies also support activities producing flight control surfaces for large commercial aircraft at Boeing Aerostructures Australia, the company’s largest manufacturing footprint outside North America.