Bombardier adds its support to launch of new SC21 regional cluster

Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast, part of the world's third largest civil aircraft manufacturer, has reinforced its commitment to helping develop world class supply chains in the region by supporting the launch of a 21st Century Supply Chain (SC21) cluster. The aim of the SC21 programme is to improve the UK aerospace industry's capabilities and make it more competitive. Bombardier believes SC21 offers an excellent opportunity to manage its complex supply chain and provide high levels of competence in supply planning, inventory forecasting and modelling Bombardier's supply chain manager, Caolan Small, said: "We were one of the original signatories at the Farnborough Airshow in 2006. Now we are looking to promote the benefits of the SC21 programme in the Midlands. "Through engagement with SC21, we have been able to improve relationships with our supplier base and identify opportunities to further improve those partnerships. Those suppliers who have been genuinely active on the programme have demonstrably improved their on-time delivery performance. "It is anticipated that the benefits will help generate significant performance and cost improvements throughout the supply chain in the process." West Midlands companies involved in the cluster can access individual grants of up to £20,000 to help them deploy the SC21 programme, which is funded by Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by MAS-WM who work closely on the programme with the Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA). Once a commitment has been made to participate, MAS-WM will arrange for a series of business diagnostics to be carried out, which will help the company identify where it is now and what it needs to do to work towards globally competitive performance via implementation of the SC21 programme.