GKN Aerospace site gains top Airbus performance award

GKN Aerospace's aerostructures manufacturing facility in Filton, Bristol, UK, has been awarded 'Accredited Member' status by Airbus. This status, appearing for the first time this year, represents the highest level of recognition by the Airbus supply chain and quality improvement programme (SQIP).

As Julien Puyou, Vice President, Procurement Operations, Aerostructures at Airbus explains, accredited member status recognises: “companies which continue the SQIP improvement principles in an autonomous way and provide best in class results.” Mr Puyou congratulated GKN Aerosapce at Filton on its: “stable and very satisfying maturity and performance.”

“To be one of only three companies to receive this new 'Accredited Member' status is a fantastic tribute to the determination and hard work of our team.” said Mike Platt, General Manager GKN Aerospace Filton. “The SQIP process has helped us strengthen our long-term partnership with Airbus and our relationships throughout our supply chain. We have implemented effective solutions to resolve issues and have embedded continuous improvement practices that benchmark our operations. Our entire workforce has been involved, creating a customer-focused culture that has delivered measurable performance benefits."

This is the latest of three awards in consecutive years for GKN Aerospace's Filton site through the Airbus SQIP initiative. It follows the receipt, in 2013, of the 'most improved supplier' award and, in 2014, of the 'Best Performing Supplier' award, both recognising the Filton team's exceptional industrial performance. Through SQIP, Airbus has introduced a collaborative approach with suppliers focused on building a high-performing, self-managing supply base that is equipped to support Airbus as it meets future challenges.

GKN Aerospace in Filton produces major structural sub-assemblies, precision-machined components and advanced systems for all variants of Airbus aircraft. The site employs over 1700 of the GKN Aerospace's worldwide total of 12,000 staff and is a global market leader in the design and manufacture of aircraft wing structures for customers including Airbus, Boeing, Dassault and Lockheed Martin.