Airbus applauds GKN Aerospace's performance

Citation

(2004), "Airbus applauds GKN Aerospace's performance", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 76 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2004.12776bab.021

Airbus applauds GKN Aerospace's performance

Airbus applauds GKN Aerospace's performance

At an Airbus UK Suppliers Conference, held to examine methods of improving supply chain performance through Lean Manufacturing, GKN Aerospace (GKNA) achievements at its Alabama, USA site have been regularly applauded.

GKNA-Alabama has been praised by Airbus for embracing lean manufacturing and for empowering its workforce to work with Airbus in implementing lean manufacturing philosophies.

Bob Eixenberger, Vice-President and General Manager, GKNA, Alabama, states: “We have demonstrated our determination to embrace lean manufacturing as the vehicle for achieving operations excellence. We recognise that this is a continuous journey and we are committed to continuously improving our performance wherever we can.”

During his presentation at the Airbus conference, GKNA's Dwight Warren, a machinist at the Alabama site, discussed his project for re-using machine cutting tools on his machine. This project alone is saving $26,000 a year. Dwight stated: “Lean manufacturing has given us a direct route to communicate manufacturing process ideas from the shop floor to the GKNA management team – and to get those ideas implemented swiftly and efficiently.”