Aerospace - Defense

“These strategic changes are being made to make it easier for suppliers to get involved with SEA and learn how lean manufacturing can improve their value stream, quality and bottom line,” said
SEA President, Kenneth Marcia, Director of Supplier Development for United Technologies. “The focus of SEA’s work needs to be the acceleration of supplier capabilities. As the suppliers improve, the prime contractors improve and the end customers are more satisfied.”

Changes include: New Membership Options – SEA now offers an Associate Membership that provides access to SEA certification materials and other helpful information free for the first six months and members can attend the “Lean Enterprise System for Managers” course at no additional charge; SEA Leadership Academy – SEA is expanding its Authorized Service Provider certification program. Beginning in 2006, SEA Lead Auditor Certification will be offered to consultants and service providers who can then conduct SEA-certification audits; Board Membership – SEA is opening its board membership to any qualified supplier, which is an expansion from the previous restriction to tier-one suppliers.

SEA Chairman of the Board, Michael Beason, says, “Now there are more viable options available to supplier companies to accelerate improvements in their own organizations and take a leadership position in the supply chain conversion effort.”

In addition to these changes, SEA has a variety of upcoming events as follows:

Nov. 2 - National Web cast for buyers and purchasers (8-9am PST)

Dec. 8 - SEA Member Meeting in San Diego, Calif.

Dec. 9 - One-day lean workshop, San Diego, Calf. (free to SEA members)

Dec. 13 - National Web cast about industry and SEA progress (9-10am PST)

Jan. 16-20 - Inaugural SEA Leader Certification Workshop

SEA is the Joint Program Office for the conversion of the aerospace, defense and space industry supply chain. SEA is a non-profit alliance of leading industry prime contractors, tier-one suppliers and other key industry suppliers whose purpose is to accelerate supply chain performance. SEA membership includes The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Company, United Technologies (Pratt & Whitney, Hamilton Sundstrand, Sikorsky), Parker Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, Textron, (Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft), Space Systems Loral, Hitco Carbon Composites, Bombardier, Honeywell, and TW Metals.

The industry Conversion Plan deploys a collaborative business system adopted by SEA member companies to help supplier organizations expand their capabilities and gain immediate and sustainable improvements.

To learn more about SEA visit the SEA website at www.seaonline.org.