Super precision bearings supplier The Barden Corporation has received a Certificate of Accomplishment in recognition of successfully completing the Goodrich Power Systems Supply Chain program.
The certificate was presented to Barden for improvements in quality and delivery performance. Receiving the certificate marks the end of a 2 ½ year project, focused on improving the Airbus supply chain.
The supply chain project is an initiative of the Government department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formally the DTI) to improve the global competitiveness of the UK automotive and aerospace industries. Goodrich is a global supplier of systems and services to the aerospace, defence and homeland security markets. Headquartered in North Carolina, US, Goodrich employs more than 24,000 people worldwide.
Goodrich has re-structured its supply base, moving from tactical buying towards long term agreements, to improve its delivery and quality performance to Airbus, one of its largest customers. Goodrich selected a group of 8 key suppliers (AEM, Aero Stanrew, Arnold Magnetics, Centrax, Commatech, Redmayne, PACE and Barden) on the basis of their impact on product lines for Airbus.
As a selected supplier, Barden was invited to participate in a supply chain development activity, designed to enhance the skill-base within the workforce. Workshops spread over the duration of the project saw experts from Goodrich and Industry Forum engineers working closely with Barden to improve and maintain high performance standards.
Greg Hart, Supply Chain Improvements Manager at Goodrich Power Systems said: "The 'supply chain groups' project has given us a very structured approach to supply chain improvement, and has been supported well by all eight suppliers involved. We now have a platform for a sustainable project format that can be continued throughout 2008 and beyond"
Barden has worked closely with Goodrich Power Systems for 40 years, supplying super precision bearings for a number of aerospace applications. The bearings, often bespoke for the application, are typically used in generators and motors frequently destined for Airbus.
As part of the project, Barden employees were sponsored by Goodrich to take part in the NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) in Business Improvement Techniques. Rose Spiers, Quality Engineer at Barden Corporation, has completed this program and was proud to receive the award at the final Supply Chain Group steering committee meeting.
Barden and Goodrich will continue to develop their close working relationship in the future. Goodrich plans to share improvements and successes within the supply chain particularly in the face of increased orders from Airbus.
Stephen Love, Project Manager at Barden comments: "It was a great honour for Barden to be selected for the Goodrich supply chain program and we're very proud to receive the certificate. This has involved many Barden employees and it has been their contributions that has enabled Barden to successfully complete this program."