ADS CEO Kevin Craven spoke recently at Farnborough International Airshow about the benefit of Aero Excellence™ International for the UK supply chain. This is his speech….
In today’s rapidly changing geopolitical environment, industries must navigate a complex landscape to meet the surging demand for products, capabilities, and services.
Our industries are buoyant, yes, but the demand for our products, capabilities and services far outpaces the amount we are able to fulfil.
Without the great work of trade bodies like ADS, GIFAS and BDLI, it would be easy to forget that, no matter how big your business is, you are part of a wider sector with shared interests and shared challenges. Success in securing our collective advantage lies in fostering resilient and efficient supply chains through collaboration and commitment to long-term solutions.
The power of collective effort
Our sectors thrive on the innovation and risk taking of our SMEs. Without this passion, our industries could not develop as successfully as they do now. That is why it is so important we support smaller businesses to continuously improve their efficiency and ability to weather shocks, for all our sakes.
We must also look at what an improved supply chain does for our broader economic impact. Recent ADS data showed that our sectors increased their economic value for the UK by 50% over the last decade, far exceeding the rate of growth of the rest of the economy. Our productivity per worker is staggeringly 46% higher than the UK average, a testament to the hard work within our supply chain.
The SC21 Programme: A Proven Model
In the UK, we have a history of collaborative efforts to enhance supply chain performance. The SC21 programme, launched in 2006, is a prime example. Over 18 years, SC21 has welcomed over a thousand businesses, significantly enhancing operational resilience, agility, and effectiveness within the supply chain. We are (rightly) immensely proud of it).
To keep growing we must keep improving. For our supply chain to continue thriving it cannot remain stationary.
Over the last 12 months, we have collaborated extensively with our French and German colleagues to ensure the leading practice from SC21 is captured within the Aero Excellence™ International framework, delivering for UK businesses within an increasingly competitive global environment
Introducing Aero Excellence™ International: A Global Standard
Aero Excellence™ aims to foster operational excellence across national borders by enhancing operational, environmental, and cybersecurity standards.
This global system will bring several key benefits:
- International Recognition: Aero Excellence™ will provide businesses with a mark of quality recognised worldwide, opening doors to international markets and opportunities.
- Unified Standards: By aligning standards across countries, Aero Excellence™ ensures a consistent level of excellence and reliability, making it easier for businesses to collaborate across borders.
- Enhanced Competitiveness: The framework supports businesses in improving their operational practices, making them more competitive on a global scale.
- Operational Resilience: By adopting best practices, companies can better withstand economic and geopolitical shocks, ensuring long-term stability and growth.
Moving Forward with SC21 and Aero Excellence™ International
We know that a global system as ambitious as this is not developed in isolation, and nor is it developed overnight.
Building up Aero Excellence™ International in the UK will take time, meanwhile the SC21 programme continues to operate at full speed. Companies are encouraged to act now enrolling in the SC21 to build evidence of their delivery and quality output and start to gain operational benefits from an established framework. This approach ensures that businesses are well-prepared for adopting Aero Excellence™ in the future.
All the improvement support provided through the SCS/SC21 framework will absolutely continue to support UK competitiveness.
Indeed, Aero Excellence™ will not be relevant for all businesses.
We will work with you to establish which path is the most appropriate. Running this dual system will ensure that our programmes will continue to provide value for industry.
For those in the Airbus supply chain that will have to adopt the Aero Excellence™ programme, we are working diligently to ensure a smooth transition, with existing SC21 award performance gaining visibility within the Aero Excellence™ system. Further engagement with industry will happen over the coming months to keep you informed.
Supply chain improvement programmes, forged in collaboration with GIFAS and BDLI, will ensure our sectors will continue to prosper in a fast-developing world.
Together, we will continue to drive innovation, enhance our resilience, and deliver immense value to our economies and society.
You can view details of the launch event for Aero Excellence™ International hosted at Farnborough International Airshow here.
Kevin Craven
ADS CEO
