Lightening the load

UK aerospace industry has taken an project, called SC21 to modernize its supply chain activities and to deal with the inefficiencies through the introduction of common standards for quality management. It aims to encourage information sharing between the major companies in order to stimulate and accelerate continuous improvement initiatives across the industry. This will help to give the UK aerospace industry a competitive edge over its rivals by establishing a lead in the effective management of supply chain operations. Peter Hogg, project director for the SC21 initiative, stated that the elimination of the need for multiple assessments of the quality management systems of smaller suppliers by major aerospace companies is a fundamental element in the initiative. The initiative is continuing with the aid of relevant documentation, specifically an implementation guide, and a website.