North-East Company Becomes First Non-Aerospace Firm to Win Prestigious National Supply Chain Award
09 December 2008
Astrum (UK), specialists in the manufacture of track systems and running gear for armoured fighting vehicles and cast steel products, based in Stanhope, County Durham, has become the first UK non-aerospace company to win a prestigious National Supply Chain Award.
Initiated by the SBAC in 2006, Supply Chain for the 21st Century (SC21) is a change programme, which aims to accelerate the competitiveness of the UK's defence and aerospace industry by raising the performance of the supply chain. To date, over 400 companies have signed up to the programme, including the UK Government’s Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems, but only a handful of companies have achieved award status, making Astrum’s achievement even more significant.
Participating SC21 companies sign up to a formal recognition process, which reflects their contribution and commitment of their supply chain. Organisations achieving and maintaining agreed criteria in terms of delivery, quality, sustainable improvement and the associated continuous improvement frameworks (business and manufacturing excellence) receive recognition in the form of an award sponsored by a SC21 founder company, in Astrum’s case, this was BAE Systems.
Achieving supply chain improvement is critical to the continued competitiveness of the UK aerospace and defence industry, and SC21 aims to accelerate the process. With international competition increasing, the participation of companies of all sizes throughout the UK supply chain is crucial to delivering real results from this modernisation programme.
Sponsored by BAE, joined by ministry of defence
Phil Kite, managing director of Astrum (UK), said: “Signing up to SC21 was a very straightforward decision for Astrum. We initiated our continuous improvement programme in 2005 and taking part in SC21, which recognises the importance of best practice throughout supply chain, reinforces Astrum’s own commitment to offering its customers the best quality, service and delivery.”
He continued: “Being one of only a handful of companies and the first land systems company, sponsored by BAE Systems, to win a SC21 award is special and we are confident that this recognition will enable us to access potential new customers. Being joined in the programme by the ministry of defence, who signed up in 2008, shows the significance of the initiative.”
Steve Langsford, BAE Systems land systems weapons and vehicles procurement director, added: “BAE Systems continues to make good progress with its procurement transformation within the weapons and vehicles business, and is making significant improvements in supply chain efficiencies, particularly with the work undertaken on SC21 with Astrum.”
“We appreciated that a good, cooperative business relationship existed which was evidenced by responsive communications, performance and solution development, which already provided BAE Systems, Astrum and the UK MoD with a good supply chain relationship,” he continued.
“The work which has been undertaken with, and commitment to, SC21 is enabling us to build upon this further for our futures. I am extremely pleased with the progress we are all making, and am delighted with the achievement of Bronze accreditation, which represents the first accreditation sponsored by BAE Systems.”
Winner of SC21 Bronze Award
Neal Dobby, BAE Systems land systems SC21 champion, commented: “Astrum is a key supplier to both BAE Systems and the UK MoD, and following SC21 activities jointly undertaken with the UK MoD, Astrum has produced and delivered a continuous sustainable improvement plan (CSIP), comprising key criteria which has been reviewed and agreed against SC21 criteria. This enabled BAE Systems to make a formal submission to the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) for independent review aiming for formal accreditation to SC21. SBAC has confirmed Astrum will be receiving a SC21 Bronze Award, which will be presented at the next task force meeting on the 9 December.”
“The 21st Century Supply Chain programme, to which the Ministry of Defence became a signatory in July 2008, makes a significant contribution to increasing the competitiveness of the UK aerospace and defence industry at all levels,” said Gary Wade, directorate of supplier relations, ministry of defence. “We welcome all companies’ engagement with the programme and acknowledge the effort and commitment demonstrated by Astrum (UK) in achieving this award and the support provided by BAE Systems.”
Trevor Harrison, managing director of NDI, added: “This is a tremendous achievement for Astrum, who is an important and valuable member of NDI. It is particularly significant that Astrum are the first non aerospace supplier to successfully undertake the process as this demonstrates that the principles and practices that underpin SC21 are applicable to all suppliers in the defence industry.”
Russ Armitage, chairman of SC21, concluded: “The future of the UK aerospace and defence industry depends on having an efficient supply chain if we are to remain globally competitive. I believe that SC21 is the way to achieve that.”
