28 août 2018 | Local, Aérospatial

Airbus aggressively sourcing more Canadian content

by Chris Thatcher

When Tom Enders, then the chief executive officer of Airbus, announced in October 2017 that Canada would become the company's fifth home country and first outside of Europe, following a deal with Bombardier to acquire a majority stake in the C Series passenger jet, small- and medium-sized Canadian aerospace companies had reason to be optimistic.

Canada has typically ranked eighth or ninth among Airbus suppliers. But with the C Series now firmly under the Airbus tent (it was renamed the A220 in July), a contract award in 2016 to provide the Royal Canadian Air Force with 16 C295W fixed-wing search and rescue (FWSAR) aircraft, and looming competitions for a future fighter jet and strategic tanker and transport aircraft, Airbus is aggressively sourcing more Canadian content.

Before you make your pitch, however, Ruben Tauste Caro, responsible for Airbus's strategic procurement in North America, has a few words of advice: no bashing the competition, no me-too products, and go easy on the wonders of your new shop floor machinery.

“I want you to tell me that you work in a very, very dedicated frequency. And in that frequency, I want you to tell me that you are the expert in a very specific niche. Then you've got me,” he told the Abbotsford Aerospace, Defence and Security Expo in August.

Airbus routinely conducts in-person assessments of its prospective suppliers and, while cost, quality, and on-time production are obvious baseline requirements, what interests Tauste Caro are signs of continuous improvement and true innovation. He said companies that claim to build a better mouse trap or be a one-stop shop for all his supply needs are quickly dismissed.

“Tell me what you are really, really good at, and if I have an opportunity in the future, that will be yours,” he said.

Continuous improvement need not involve large investments. A dashboard with measurable targets will suffice if it clearly shows progress, said Tauste Caro. “Show me your KPIs [key performance indicators]. If you don't [meet] a target that month, do you have an action behind it?”

A clear ability to set and reach targets is important, he emphasized, because if there is ever an issue with product quality, “The question is, will you overcome that issue? Do you have the right procedures, the right way of working? Is your workforce engaged?”

That's why he also asks questions about innovation. Most companies have a tendency to highlight their shop floor. While new machines and robotics are important, he always looks beyond to the people operating them.

“Innovation is people,” he said. “{They] are the key parameters in the innovation equation...[D]on't waste time on machines, tell me your way of working.” In particular, how do ideas move from the shop floor to the C-suite?

For suppliers eyeing opportunities with Airbus's commercial aircraft production, an ability to ramp up production and deliver at high rates is critical. “This is extremely important,” he stressed. “We cannot afford to have one aircraft system stopped in the warehouse.”

Tauste Caro heads a small four-person team responsible for supplier identification and development throughout North America, so he encouraged companies to call or “knock on the door,” to keep him apprised of product changes, expansion plans, new strategies, and contract awards.

“Feed me with that information. That is the daily bread and butter of my job within strategic procurement,” he said, explaining that if he's asked to recommend a supplier, “I have to be able to answer right away.”

While ramp-up of A220 production this year and delivery of the first FWSAR aircraft in 2019 might mean more opportunities for Canadian suppliers, Airbus is particularly focused on the value proposition it can offer in a future fighter jet and air-to-air refuelling aircraft competition.

“We need to work with you right now,” he told executives at the Abbotsford trade show, to identify industrial and technological benefits (ITBs) proposals for both programs and meet FWSAR obligations.

There is a “huge requirement” for ITBs within the fighter jet program, he noted. “We need to be creative, we need the suppliers.”

https://www.skiesmag.com/news/airbus-aggressively-sourcing-more-canadian-content

Sur le même sujet

  • Le ministre Sajjan marque le début de la construction du quatrième navire de patrouille extracôtier et de l’Arctique

    3 mai 2019 | Local, Naval

    Le ministre Sajjan marque le début de la construction du quatrième navire de patrouille extracôtier et de l’Arctique

    Le 3 mai 2019 - Halifax (N.-É.) - Défense nationale/Forces armées canadiennes Un autre jalon important de la Stratégie nationale de construction navale a été franchi aujourd'hui lorsque l'honorable Harjit S. Sajjan, ministre de la Défense nationale, a participé à une cérémonie au Chantier naval de Irving soulignant le début de la construction du quatrième NPEA, le futur NCSM William Hall. Il s'agit du quatrième des six navires de ce genre à être construits au chantier naval de Halifax pour la Marine royale canadienne (MRC), conformément à la politique de défense du Canada Protection, Sécurité, Engagement. La sécurité dans l'Arctique est compliquée par la géographie et le climat rigoureux de la région. Cette nouvelle classe de navires a été spécialement conçue pour patrouiller dans les eaux canadiennes et les régions nordiques. La polyvalence de ces navires leur permettra aussi de naviguer à l'étranger et contribuer aux opérations internationales. La classe Harry DeWolf améliorera considérablement les capacités et la présence des FAC dans l'Arctique, ce qui permettra à la MRC de mieux affirmer sa souveraineté dans l'Arctique pour les années à venir. Depuis le début de la construction du premier NPEA en 2015, le projet a bien progressé. Le premier navire devrait se joindre à la flotte de la MRC cet été. Citations « Nous réalisons d'importants progrès sur les navires de patrouille extracôtiers et de l'Arctique alors que les travailleurs canadiens entreprennent la construction du quatrième navire, ici, à Halifax. Ces navires constitueront des atouts essentiels pour la MRC, car ils amélioreront notre capacité dans l'Arctique et contribueront grandement au succès futur de nos opérations dans les régions les plus isolées du Canada. Comme nous l'avons indiqué dans Protection, Sécurité, Engagement, notre gouvernement fournit de l'équipement moderne et polyvalent à nos femmes et à nos hommes en uniforme afin qu'ils puissent accomplir avec succès le travail que nous leur confions. » L'honorable Harjit S. Sajjan Ministre de la Défense nationale « La cérémonie d'aujourd'hui pour le quatrième navire de patrouille extracôtier et de l'Arctique du Canada marque un jalon important. Elle est un témoignage que la Stratégie nationale de construction navale revitalise notre industrie maritime, appuie l'innovation technologique canadienne, crée des emplois stables et génère des retombées économiques partout au Canada. Nous demeurons fermement engagés envers la Stratégie et continuerons de travailler en étroite collaboration avec nos partenaires de la construction navale afin d'en assurer le succès, maintenant et à l'avenir. » L'honorable Carla Qualtrough, Ministre des Services publics et de l'Approvisionnement et de l'Accessibilité « Je suis ravie de constater tous les progrès accomplis cette année sur les navires de patrouille extracôtiers et de l'Arctique, et j'ai h'te de voir le reste du projet progresser dans les années à venir. Gr'ce à ce partenariat avec Irving Shipbuilding, nous allons conserver plus de 4 000 emplois hautement qualifiés et créer des occasions ici, à Halifax, et partout en Nouvelle-Écosse. » L'honorable Bernadette Jordan, Ministre du Développement économique rural Faits en bref Le projet des NPEA s'inscrit dans le cadre du regain d'intérêt du Canada pour la surveillance du territoire, en particulier dans les régions arctiques. À mesure que la dynamique de la sécurité dans l'Arctique évolue, en raison de facteurs tels que les changements climatiques, nous continuerons de travailler à sécuriser nos approches aériennes et maritimes dans le Nord, en coordination avec nos alliés et nos partenaires. William Hall a reçu la Croix de Victoria en 1859 pour son héroïsme et le soutien qu'il a apporté à l'Armée britannique lors de la libération de Lucknow (1857). Fils d'esclaves afro-américains affranchis vivant en Nouvelle-Écosse, il est la première personne noire, le premier Néo-Écossais et le troisième Canadien à avoir reçu cet honneur. Quatre NPEA sont actuellement en production, et la construction du cinquième navire devrait débuter plus tard en 2019. Le quatrième NPEA devrait rejoindre la flotte de la MRC en 2022. Les NPEA sont des plates-formes très polyvalentes qui peuvent être utilisées dans le cadre de diverses missions au pays et à l'étranger, comme la surveillance côtière, la recherche et le sauvetage, l'interception des drogues, le soutien aux partenaires internationaux, l'aide humanitaire et les secours en cas de catastrophe. Les travaux se poursuivent pour achever l'installation navale de Nanisivik, qui appuiera les opérations des nouveaux navires de patrouille extracôtiers et de l'Arctique et d'autres navires maritimes du gouvernement. Cette nouvelle installation devrait être terminée plus tard cette année. Liens connexes Protection, Sécurité, Engagement Navires de patrouille extracôtiers et de l'Arctique William Hall Stratégie nationale de construction navale Personnes-ressources Todd Lane Attaché de presse Cabinet du ministre de la Défense nationale Tél. : 613-996-3100 Relations avec les médias Ministère de la Défense nationale Tél. : 613-996-2353 Courriel : mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca https://www.canada.ca/fr/ministere-defense-nationale/nouvelles/2019/05/le-ministre-sajjan-marque-le-debut-de-la-construction-du-quatrieme-navire-de-patrouille-extracotier-et-de-larctique.html

  • The Pros and Cons of Replacing Canada’s Aging Submarine Fleet

    22 juillet 2021 | Local, Naval

    The Pros and Cons of Replacing Canada’s Aging Submarine Fleet

    The Royal Canadian Navy is actively considering how to replace its aging submarine fleet in what promises to ...

  • Major contract awarded for work on the Joint Support Ships

    4 février 2019 | Local, Naval

    Major contract awarded for work on the Joint Support Ships

    Mississauga-based INDAL Technologies Inc. has been awarded a contract to provide the helicopter handling system for the Joint Support Ships North Vancouver, BC – Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) has awarded INDAL Technologies Inc. (INDAL) of Mississauga, Ontario, a contract valued at almost $20M for work on Canada's new Joint Support Ships (JSS). INDAL represents one of more than 60 Ontario suppliers to date that Seaspan is working with to meet its commitments under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). INDAL is providing its Aircraft Ship Integrated Securing & Traversing (ASIST) System for JSS. The ASIST System is a state-of-the-art integrated helicopter handling system for surface combatants. The System provides the functionality necessary to support helicopter handling, including deck securing on touchdown, on-deck manoeuvring and traversing to/from the hangar space, and helicopter launch. INDAL will also be supplying all the installation support and training, as well as the required maintenance and logistics documentation. A distinct capability of this System is its ability to straighten and align the helicopter remotely from the ASIST Control Console using combined operations of the on-deck Rapid Securing Device (RSD) and Traverse Winch sub-system. Straightening and alignment is achieved with no requirement for external cables attached to the helicopter. Various configurations of INDAL's ASIST systems are operating successfully with navies from around the world including Chile, Turkey and Singapore. ASIST has also been selected by the U.S. Navy as an integral capability within its DDG-1000 “Zumwalt” destroyer program and by the Royal Australian Navy for its Air Warfare Destroyer and SEA 5000 Programs. Thanks to its work under the NSS, Seaspan has issued over $690M in committed contracts with approximately 540 Canadian companies. By building ships for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in Canada, Seaspan is helping to re-establish a Canadian marine industry. As the company continues to make progress on its NSS commitments, this supply chain is expected to grow as more Canadian companies realize new opportunities with a revitalized shipbuilding industry. It is through its work on the NSS that Seaspan is directly and indirectly helping to employ thousands of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. QUOTES “This contract is a prime example of how the National Shipbuilding Strategy is helping drive technological innovation in Canada, while also building a strong, sustainable marine sector. INDAL Technologies Inc.'s homegrown, state-of-the-art technology will help equip our Royal Canadian Navy's future supply ships with the tools needed so that our women and men in uniform can carry out their important work.” – The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility “Seaspan Shipyards is pleased to announce this major contract award for INDAL Technologies Inc. to provide a crucial system for the Joint Support Ships. Through its work in Canada, and internationally, INDAL is a trusted leader in the design and development of ship borne helicopter handling and other sophisticated marine systems. As a result of contract awards like these the NSS is encouraging investment by Canadian companies, supporting the development of export opportunities, and creating highly-skilled, middle class jobs across Canada” – Mark Lamarre, Chief Executive Officer, Seaspan Shipyards “On behalf of INDAL Technologies Inc. I am excited to announce that we have been awarded a contract valued at almost $20 million to provide the helicopter handling system for the Royal Canadian Navy's (RCN) new Joint Support Ships currently being built at Seaspan's Vancouver Shipyards. INDAL Technologies prides itself in combining a high level of engineering and manufacturing capability with expertise in the management of large and complex defense programs to produce unmatched solutions for the RCN. We value our ongoing relationship with Seaspan and our partnership under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.” – Colleen Williams, General Manager, INDAL Technologies Inc. QUICK FACTS Seaspan operates three yards with a combined workforce greater than 2,500 people across its yards in North Vancouver & Victoria. To date, Seaspan has awarded over $690M in contracts to approximately 540 Canadian companies, with nearly $230M in contracts awarded to Ontario-based companies. INDAL is based in Mississauga, Ontario, since its incorporation in 1951 under the name Dominion Aluminum Fabricating Ltd., the company has developed its engineering design and manufacturing capabilities and today is heavily involved in systems integration and testing. The company has over forty years of experience with equipment for shipboard aircraft operation, its personnel are uniquely trained and experienced in designing and building system solutions for handling aircraft and UAVs onboard ships in the toughest possible environments. INDAL is positively impacted with 38 person-years of direct employment as a direct result of its work under the NSS. https://www.seaspan.com/major-contract-awarded-work-joint-support-ships

Toutes les nouvelles