3 minute read
Silver Linings for a Post-COVID Aerospace Industry
Aerospace manufacturers and suppliers that have survived the pandemic ’ s global aviation decline have a once in a business lifetime opportunity, says Rusty Coleman. As air travel returns, along with the associated demand for parts and planes, this is the time to assess your business functions…
Including both Business Aviation and the scheduled airlines (plus their associated services), the aerospace industry shed 100,000 jobs at the height of the US shutdown in April 2020. One multinational conglomerate alone lost 13,000 employees from its aviation unit.
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The loss of workers and their specialized knowledge and skills has been compounded with shortages up and down the supply chain.
There is a silver lining, however. Just like a community that rebuilds stronger after a natural disaster – with buildings constructed to new codes, improved safety processes, and lessons learned aerospace can do the same and start with its foundation – the supply chain.
The 2021 Aerospace Supply Chain The aerospace supply chain is unique. Over 450,000 parts make up an airplane, meaning thousands of different parts are circulating in just one day.
The manufacturing industry is no longer at full capacity and a manufacturer ’ s estimated build time assumes all the parts are available, authenticated, secured, monitored during transport, and arrive undamaged. Add trained workers and specialized tools that also need to be available, and it takes more time to produce a finished airplane.
Like a building stripped down to its studs after a natural disaster, aircraft manufacturers can and should take advantage of the rebuilding opportunity. They can do so with tested and secured supply chain software and hardware that automates the specialized needs of the aerospace industry.
Blockchain Security
A supply chain dream state is one where an entire community, from OEMs through tier suppliers, are in full communication sharing parts genealogy, inventory, delivery status, FAA-required paperwork and more.
Current technology allows for the essential layer of blockchain security that is no longer a nice-to-have, but an almost necessary step to ensure authenticity and security.
But even outside a trusted and connected community, manufacturers at the physical supply chain level can now install a variety of tested IoT devices designed for specific supply chain needs.
These devices augment workers while replacing clipboard and papertracking with accuracy and speed that come through automation. Secure IoT technology provides the ability to automate inventory. Specialized software provides real-time data that can be aggregated and acted upon to make immediate decisions such as where to work, setting customer expectations, or allowing for changes in timing and delivery.
Today ’ s supply chain automation includes intelligent RFID tags on parts and tools, dock doors, dollies, and tool cribs, to name a few. Authenticity of paperwork is backed by software to allow for blockchain security, visibility, and 24/7 access.
Aerospace struggled with visibility and delays prior to the pandemic. The industry is a global juggernaut with components built around the world, all needing to meet a variety of federal and foreign safety regulations. Today ’ s IoT technology, supply chain-specific software solutions, and blockchain capabilities, empower aerospace suppliers to restart the now re-emerging manufacturing lines.
Component delays are expected to continue, but with proper supply chain technology and use the age-old question “ where ’ s my stuff?” now has answers – answers that are often hard to see in complicated systems. Now is the time to investigate technical solutions to build back better processes and prepare for a changing industry.
MI www.surgere.com ❚
RUSTY COLEMAN
