VIEW FROM THE TOP
INTERIORS SUPPLIER FOCUSED ON TRANSFORMATION FELIPE SANDOVAL General Manager of Zodiac Aerospace
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Q: How is Zodiac Aerospace adapting to remain a competitive
means that lightweight components and new materials are
and innovative player in the sector?
among the priorities for new component development. One
A: Zodiac has been a worldwide aerospace leader in Mexico
of our leading innovations was the Optima seat, which is a
for more than 120 years and we are now in the midst of a
new seating design focused on comfort, space efficiency and
transition. We are implementing a world-class operating
lightweight application.
system called Zodiac Aerospace Operating System, which is part of a larger strategy called Focus that will lead Zodiac
Q: How is Zodiac addressing issues related to human capital
through its transformation. The final goal is to become a more
and high labor turnover?
robust company with reliable products and processes.
A: All border cities are facing issues regarding human capital attraction and retention. Just like we want to make our
Our human capital will be part of our transformation initiative.
products stand out in the market, we also want our company
We are implementing a new leadership model that will help
to be recognized by the way we treat our people and the
our employees understand what we want as a company and
development opportunities they might have by working
to create a shared mindset among Zodiac’s collaborators.
with Zodiac. People are looking for a pleasant working
Focus will take us to a zero-defect operation with a 100
environment in which they can grow professionally and
percent on-time delivery promise.
all companies should make these factors a priority in their development strategy. We do not see a problem related to
Q: How is Safran’s recent acquisition of Zodiac impacting the
lack of talented labor since Mexico is among the leading
transformation process?
countries in the production of engineering talent. The problem
A: Our transition began before we were acquired by Safran
is how companies are training these people to participate in
but the company is fully behind our commitment to change.
the industry and how they retain their talent.
Safran has high expectations for our new joint operations but even leaving the acquisition aside, all companies must work
Q: What is required for the aerospace sector to consolidate
toward a more efficient operation. Our new joint operations
as a key participant in the country’s economy?
with Safran will bring new opportunities for both companies.
A: The sector has grown continuously for the past 10 years and
We really did not act as competitors before because we are
that growth will be sustained. The country has the potential
more focused on interior components, aerosystems and seats,
to grow tenfold but we have several challenges that need to
while Safran is oriented to landing gears, engines and other
be addressed. The first is the state of the local supply chain.
electrical systems. Now, we will complement each other’s
We need better integration among suppliers and OEMs, but
capabilities.
we also need to collaborate between countries to have a more efficient North American region. Our work with suppliers has
Q: In terms of products, what do you see as the main
been effective. We helped Soisa Aerospace develop as the
opportunity for Zodiac to grow its business with OEMs?
first Mexican cushion supplier and our goal is to keep helping
A: Zodiac is a leader in technological transformation and
other companies grow their business within the aerospace
we are developing new concepts within our existing core
industry. Academic programs and governmental policies must
business to satisfy the demands from OEMs. We are working
be as dynamic as the industry in its transformation.
on more advanced and comfortable seating components, as well as innovative interior components. Our design team in Chihuahua won an innovation and design award in 2017 and
Zodiac Aerospace is a leading supplier of interior components
we also won the Red Dot Award for a new cabin concept we
for helicopters and space applications, as well as commercial,
created. Furthermore, we must always help our clients reduce
regional and business aircraft. The company has 100 locations
operational costs. Fuel is the largest expense in aviation, which
with over 35,000 employees globally
