MELBOURNE, Australia, 4 March 2011 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced subcontracts with two Melbourne-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to support the KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft. The companies, Aerostaff and Production Parts, will provide sheet metal and machined components, respectively.
The contracts were facilitated by the Office of Australian Industry Capability (OAIC), which was established by Boeing in 2007 in cooperation with Australia’s Defence Materiel Organisation to support and develop Australian industry capability and links to the global aviation and aerospace supply chain.
“I visited Production Parts and saw first hand the great work they’re doing,” said Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare. “Boeing is doing a terrific job working with local Australian companies to help them break into overseas markets and these KC-135 subcontracts are a great example of that.”
The U.S. Air Force has operated the KC-135 refueler since 1957. Boeing Maintenance, Modifications & Upgrades in San Antonio, Texas, has been performing depot-level inspections, repair, maintenance and modification on the KC-135 Stratotanker since 1997.
“Through the OAIC, Boeing is partnering with Australian industry to demonstrate the benefits of working with a global aerospace leader: providing local access to opportunities across the entire spectrum of Boeing commercial and military production and support programs and to our extended network of suppliers,” said Ian Thomas, President of Boeing Australia and South Pacific.
Ken Shaw, vice president of Supply Chain Management for Boeing Global Services and Support added: “Boeing is helping Australian SMEs grow their businesses by exporting their capabilities, while identifying qualified suppliers to support the needs of its customers worldwide. These contracts demonstrate that Australia’s Global Supply Chain initiative is working.”
The OAIC offers an alternative to traditional industrial offsets to increase global business opportunities for Australian companies. Through the OAIC, Boeing was the first prime contractor to address Australia’s 2007 Defence Industry Policy. Since then, the OAIC has helped Australian firms win contracts worth more than US$190 million in support of commercial aircraft programs such as 747, 767, 777 and the 787 Dreamliner, as well as the Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft, CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter aircraft.
The OAIC provides Australian SMEs with mentoring and training in areas such as Lean manufacturing, quality management systems, specialised manufacturing and machining skills, and business management. Additionally, the OAIC provides marketing assistance by helping match the needs of Boeing and its key suppliers with the capabilities of Australian industry and offering bid opportunities.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defence, space and security businesses specialising in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 66,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.
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