‘TRUSTED DISRUPTOR’: HOW L3HARRIS IS LEVERAGING NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO TRANSFORM THE SUPPLY CHAIN FUNCTION
DISRUPTOR’: HOW L3HARRIS
IS LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGIES TO TRANSFORM SUPPLY CHAIN FUNCTION
Alex Niles, Vice President of Supply Chain at L3Harris Technologies (L3Harris), on the company’s approach to supply chain innovation to facilitate growth and navigate global challenges.
LEVERAGING NEW TRANSFORM THE
AS AN INDUSTRY-LEADING DEFENCE
MANUFACTURER, L3HARRIS
TECHNOLOGIES (L3HARRIS)
DELIVERS END-TO-END TECHNOLOGY
SOLUTIONS CONNECTING THE SPACE, AIR, LAND, SEA AND CYBER DOMAINS WITH MISSION-CRITICAL NEEDS IN MIND.
The company’s largest segment, Space and Airborne Systems (SAS), supports all areas of national security. Organised into four sectors – Space Systems, Airborne Combat Systems, Intelligence & Cyber and Mission Networks – SAS has a fully integrated supply chain team of professionals in subcontracts, procurement, material management and inventory & asset management.
Leading the supply chain function for SAS is Alex Niles, Vice President of Supply Chain at L3Harris. Alex joins us today to discuss supply chain innovation within the complex and rapidly changing aerospace and defence industry.
To begin, Alex explains how the company has built up its status as a ‘Trusted Disruptor’ – a term that encompasses its mission statement to innovate relentlessly and deliver capability with the speed, passion and determination that its customers demand.
“We are the Trusted Disruptor in this industry,” says Alex. “One of the things we always say that aligns directly with our supply chain strategy is that resiliency builds trust, and agility facilitates disruption.
“For that to work, we need to make sure that we have strong processes and partners throughout our supply chain, and that we have the infrastructure in place to quickly
respond to the needs of our internal customers and end users. This all helps facilitate innovation.
“One of the things we’re really proud of right now is our work in AI and robotic process automation. We’ve been looking at the activities our teams have to undertake that may be manual in nature, but also highly repetitive, and training bots to take on these tasks. So we’re now on a journey
to assess these tasks and automate them to improve our agility and speed and create more time for our teams to focus on higher-level, critical activities.
“We’re also prioritising our strong supplier partnerships. Like everyone, we learned a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, we were most successful in the areas where we had our strongest partner relationships, and we’ve taken that
lesson forward. Now, we’re looking at putting standardised processes in place so that we can establish our partnerships in a uniform way.
“For instance, in 2022 we held our first strategic supplier workshops. These were an intimate group of core suppliers that we brought in to talk about how we work together today, and how we want to work together in the future in terms of communication
“ONE OF THE THINGS WE’RE REALLY PROUD OF RIGHT NOW IS OUR WORK IN AI AND ROBOTIC PROCESS AUTOMATION”
Alex Niles, Vice President of Supply Chain at L3Harris Technologies
What’s the difference between a manufacturer that’ll simply deliver
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35 Technologies Group is a vertically integrated production company that ensures that existing solutions are leveraged, that innovation is utilised, and that product is designed for manufacturability (DFM) through comprehensive and thorough engineering assistance, testing, and inspection processes resulting in your success.
Need a part manufactured to dimensions of a mere .004” – the thickness of a piece of paper? We do that. How about milling a 60” long, 500+ pound block of metal? We do that too. And most everything in between. Our Phantom Technologies machine shop has CNC lathe capability up to 1-5/8” diameter with thread rolling ability. All this, while holding tolerances to within .0005”.
Phantom Technologies not only performs dedicated large quantity production machining, but also supports our customer-partners with small quantity R&D machining. And we always have our customers safeguarded in times of emergency given our ability to “quick turn machine” when out of the ordinary situations arise.
Whether it be soft metals like aluminium, or plastics, or hard metals such as stainless steel or titanium, problematic metals such as beryllium, or even uncommonly hard metals such as A286 Super Alloy and Nitronic 60, 35 Technologies Group can manage it all.
Need more than just a piece part? By being a vertically integrated organisation, 35 Technologies
Group can not only manufacture your piece parts, but can also assemble and test them.
Want proof? Consider this: Through the vertical integration capabilities of the 35 Technologies Group divisions – Phantom Technologies, JSM Electronics, and Shadow Technologies – we assisted the L3 Harris Corporation in the development of the IBA (Integrated Backplane Assembly) for the F35 Joint Strike Force Fighter Jet and are the current producer which involves milling of the containment case, cable production (using our self-produced RF connectors), RF Testing, Cable Phase Matching, Fiber Optic Testing, Assembly, and Thermal Chamber Testing.
We have been a valued partner in both development assistance and production for L3 Harris for 30 years, as well as being a respected and valued participant in affordability study consultations. Customer retention is something we take much pride in, and that doesn’t happen by accident – it is not simply given, it is earned. So, this is no small feat.
Our JSM Electronics and Shadow Technologies divisions have been producing cable assemblies and harnesses for a sizable number of customers since 1996. And both divisions continue to be a critical sub-manufacturer to customers such as Lockheed Martin, Northrup Gruman and Ducommun, and have been reliably producing and supplying Hellfire Missile Harnesses, Hypersonic Missile Harnesses, and JAGM Missile Harnesses (Lockheed) for over 20 years.
Independent of our extensive history of manufacturing defence-related products, we also produce for the commercial market. An illustration of this is the Shadow Technologies constructed Extended Range Wi-Fi Antennas which feature in-house produced connectors, cable assemblies, and miscellaneous hardware, as well as PC board coating and testing verification. Yet another manufactured item brought about by our vertically integrated facilities.
Given the range of our expansive production and assembly capabilities, the 35 Technologies Group of companies can produce a single piece part or an entire assembly containing hundreds of parts. Your needs will be accommodated.
Built on a foundational belief of ongoing capital re-investment and a never-ending recruitment of
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From the beginning to the end, the 35 Technologies Group of companies (Phantom Technologies, JSM Electronics, & Shadow Technologies) have the know-how, experience, and capacity to expertly and efficiently support your manufacturing needs.
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strategy as it relates to needs and roadmaps.
“These workshops have become the key communication outlet for us and our suppliers to get together in the same room and really talk about what’s ahead of us for the next two to three years. They’re an opportunity where our senior leaders can talk about what’s most important for us, and then we can get feedback from our suppliers and take action.
“What we said in our first workshop was that we didn’t just want to have one-sided presentations. Instead, we wanted to have round table discussions where we could explore our future as an equal partnership.
“I view our supply chains as an extension of our own teams. There are resources, there’s talent and there’s capability –and we want to leverage the resources on both sides to benefit the partnership.
“A notable partner for us is 35 Technologies Group – in terms of technology and road mapping, they’ve been very helpful in taking on certain capabilities that we need and partnering with us to deliver
Price – Delivery – Expected Quality
Shadow Technologies has been a producer of quality RF Cable Assemblies and Harnesses since 1996. And there’s so much more. Apart from cable and harness production, Shadow Technologies fully integrates high level assemblies, performs RF Testing and Cable Phase Matching, Fiber Optic Testing and Environmental Chamber Testing.
Shadow Technologies continues to be a critical sub-manufacturer to customers such as L3-Harris, Lockheed Martin, Northrup Gruman, and Ducommun for one simple reason… we’re good at what we do. In fact, we’re very good at what we do!
Explore how Shadow Technologies know-how and experience can expertly and efficiently support the manufacturing needs of your company.
these new developments together and more quickly get them to the customer.
“Another partner in particular is Alexander Machine & Tool Company, LLC. (AM&T), who are one of the machine suppliers we work with who are doing rapid prototyping for us. Amphenol is another one, where they’re understanding where the technology is going and understanding how to apply that technology into our specific
“WE’RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR SUPPLIERS TO BETTER DEVELOP OUR TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP FOR THE FUTURE”
circumstances, helping us accelerate some of our programme schedules. Finally, I’d like to mention Spectrum Control, who have been instrumental in helping us develop mission roadmaps to hone our product offering to ensure it’s to our customer’s specifications.”
As Alex explains, delivering on goals and customer specifications has never been more crucial. For Alex, a turbulent global landscape requires significant
forward planning and an investment into the technologies that will shape the decade to come.
“Now more than ever, world events are creating a platform for innovation,” says Alex. “We’re working closely with our suppliers to better develop our technology roadmap for the future, so we can ensure that we’re supplying our customers with what they need day in and day out, while also anticipating
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Our capabilities include:
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APC supports most Testing requirements including Level I and Level II Electrical Test, Hi Pot Testing, Thermal Cycling, and RF Testing
their needs for the next ten years. We want to make sure that our suppliers are involved in that conversation, so that they know what we intend to provide and how they can help us reach that goal.
“This not only puts us a step ahead, but also puts our suppliers a step ahead, so that we’re able to work together and develop technology and solutions in a much more rapid way than if we were all trying to innovate separately.”
Alex notes how the development of new technologies – both internally and externally – is streamlining the way L3Harris approaches supply chain disruptions.
“The need for robotic process automation was amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Alex. “So we deployed the use of a supply chain mapping tool that allowed us to receive real-time intelligence on supply chain disruptions – whether that’s cyber or environmental.
“I’m based in Florida, and during the recent hurricanes we were able to get important information related to suppliers that may be in the path of a storm or further
“THE CONVERGENCE OF TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS AND PROCESSES THAT’S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS INCREDIBLY
disruption with this tool, which helped us take action to mitigate and redirect.
“When you have supply chains that extend across the globe, you know that disruptions are always going to come up, so this tool is now a standard part of our Materials Requirements Planning (MRP). This has been really helpful for our teams, as we can more easily wrap our heads around what risks are out there and how we can assess those risk in a systematic way.
Since its founding in 1969, Alexander Machine and Tool, AM&T, has set the standard for excellence in manufacturing and engineered solutions serving industries that demand nothing less than precision and quality. Guided by the principle “Partnering for Precision Solutions,” AM&T is committed to building long-lasting relationships with customers by providing not only expertly crafted products but also comprehensive, customised solutions. Their mission is clear: success is achieved when our customers excel.
AM&T’s team of 65 dedicated professionals operate their Woburn, MA facility 24 hours a day to deliver high-quality machined products that reflect decades of expertise and a drive for innovation. Utilising advanced three-, four-, and fifth-axis vertical and horizontal machines, AM&T consistently meets complex machining requirements
with efficiency and precision. By focusing on the latest in manufacturing technology and methodologies, they help customers reduce costs, improve speed-to-market, and enhance overall product performance.
Central to AM&T’s operation is a collaborative approach that brings engineering insight into every phase of product development. “Our goal is to help our customers design products by engineering out expense and engineering in improvements,” says President Tammy Soper. This commitment to partnership has allowed AM&T to solve intricate challenges and deliver solutions that set customers apart in their industries. As an industryagnostic company, the AM&T team utilises a process selection analysis to determine the best manufacturing method. AM&T is a strategic partner with many defence prime companies who rely on their quality, delivery, and
engineering expertise for chassis, castings, vacuum bonding, assemblies, and brazing projects.
AM&T’s success is rooted in its culture of excellence, where management encourages daily innovation, creativity, and continuous improvement. Beyond fostering these values, employees are also invested in the company’s success through a profit-sharing programme, empowering them to contribute ideas and enhance processes that keep AM&T at the forefront of the industry. One standout example of their dedication to efficiency and quality is the Visual ERP system. This advanced software enables seamless integration across operations, from design to production, ensuring that every product is crafted to meet precise standards with on-time delivery.
For decades, AM&T has been a trusted partner to their customers, providing highquality machined products and assemblies that adapt to the evolving demands of the industry. AM&T and L3Harris are celebrating over 45 years as strategic partners. Their team’s focus on precision, collaboration, and continuous improvement makes AM&T more than a manufacturer—it makes them a valued partner in their customers’ success stories.
Superior products backed by the best RF engineering team in the industry
• Advanced RF+Digital technology – miniature, modular, intelligent
• RF & microwave components and custom assemblies
• RF distribution and test
• EMI and EMP/HEMP protection
for more information Spectrum
Manufacturing excellence with a focus on meeting customer commitments
• Eight manufacturing locations in North America and the UK with investments in capacity and automation
• Experience meeting environmental and test requirements (MIL-STD and MIL-PRF)
• 70+ years of supporting customers in the A&D and industrial sectors
“We’ve also implemented some advanced planning and scheduling systems over the past couple of years that allow our teams to really partner with our customers and do some scenario planning for how we accelerate delivery schedules and more quickly field our products and solutions to support the end user.
“This has allowed our teams to do more complex industrial planning far more effectively than we would have
been able to do in the past, when it would have been a much more manual process. I think this is one of the things that really sets L3Harris apart from our peers – we’re able to utilise technologies from third parties in a way many other companies can’t. Our heritage has given us the muscle to wield these IT resources in a different way.”
So, what does the future hold for L3Harris?
“Maintaining excellent quality and accelerating deliveries is going to be crucial for us long term,” shares Alex. “It supports our disruptive approach and gives us the agility to meet everincreasing customer timelines. There is a need to deploy capabilities in the aerospace and defence sector faster, and we're now able to see something go from a concept to being deployed within a year or two – making this an even more exciting industry to work in.
“We’re involved in so many domains – air, sea, land, space and cyber. We cover the full defence space, and we’ve really empowered our teams to take the best practices and solutions from any one of those domains and apply them to the other, whether that’s an actual technical product offering or an abstract process.
“The convergence of technical solutions and processes that’s happening right now is incredibly exciting, and it’s really accelerating how quickly we’re able to drive programmes forward, leverage teams in other areas and test out new approaches.”
Learn more about L3Harris here.
ADDED VALUE
“I love TED Talks,” says Alex. “I find a lot of value in them, whether I’m travelling or driving into the office, and I often use them as a part of my annual kickoff meetings with my staff. Our meetings usually have a theme, and these TED Talks help me frame them.
“We recently used Angela Lee Duckworth’s TED Talk ‘Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.’
I think anyone who has chosen a career in supply chain understands that there’s a lot of passion in our function, and you have to persevere through the daily challenges that may occur as you try to sustain legacy supply chains.
“I’ve also read her book, Grit: Why passion and resilience are the secrets to success. I think this is a great read and really makes you challenge yourself – are you aligned with something that you’re passionate about, and are you willing to push yourself through difficult circumstances? You have to be, because that’s how you drive excellence in a company.”
Connect with Alex
www.l3harris.com