ACSA Space Manufacturing Group
Co-Chair, Kellie Johnson, ACE Clearwater Enterprises
Co-Chair, Ross Blanchard, Boeing Phantom Works
The manufacturing working group has been focusing their efforts on developing a "Smart Supplier" strategy. In the 2004 California Space Enterprise Strategic Plan, the California Space Industrial Base Vitality initiative includes the following performance objective: Develop a "Smart Supplier" strategy, program or center for supplier education, addressing best practices in business, management, project management, lean manufacturing. (CSIBV 2.12)
The first step in our process was to develop a 2-part survey. First part: Are you involved in space manufacturing along with basic demographical information. The second part of the survey included questions regarding "smart" as in "smart supplier", from both perspectives, as a prime and as a supplier. The objective of the survey was to profile the California aerospace supplier community and help determine the kinds of programs and initiatives that support a healthy California space industrial base. The purpose was to gather data that could be conveyed to manufacturing and supplier support groups. public policy makers and others interested in strengthening the space supplier community and keeping it competitive. Survey link was distributed via email to: SEA California suppliers, CSA database (through SpotBeam), and other selected partners, e.g. Connectory, Small Manufacturers Assn., etc. The "carrot" to fill out the survey was an invitation to attend a Space-Related Manufacturing Forum. By all accounts the survey was a success. We received more than 150 survey responses between June 10 and August 23. This success could not have been accomplished without the hard work of our "champion" Vicki Conner and the focus provided by Andrea Seastrand. Key insights from the survey include: 1) space generally comprises 25% or less of total volume for space suppliers, 2) the issue of supplier "responsiveness to rapidly changing customer needs" finished as #1 from the supplier perspective and #2 from the prime perspective, indicating that flexibility in manufacturing processes is a key competitiveness objective for "smart suppliers"
The Manufacturing Forum was held on October 26, and was attended by approximately 50-60 people. Presentations were given by Jack Stewart of the California Manufacturing and Technology Association, Yolanda Benson, Deputy Secretary, Business, Transportation and Housing Agency and key supply chain executives from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and the Supplier Excellence Alliance. The manufacturing forum provided and opportunity to hear first hand the expectations the primes have of their supply base. A very lively discussion occurred between the panelists and the audience. The manufacturing working group thinks this forum was the first step to integrate our thinking as suppliers and primes to effectively address the development of "smart suppliers". A white paper on this subject is currently in the works.
