GOOD CHEMISTRY How one small company in Australia became part of the Boeing supply chain underscores the importance of finding opportunities to grow the company’s international business—and build relationships By Jaimié Cardé It was not too long ago that a small company in Melbourne, Australia, was specializing in nickel plating for industrial tooling that produced keys, doorstops and refrigerator door handles. Today, that same company, Electromold Australia, is part of the supply chain for some of Boeing’s most advanced aircraft, including the 787 Dreamliner and the F/A-18 Super Hornet. “To be such a small company, but knowing we play a part within such a large global network, is a real motivator for our team,” said Steve Harvey, chief executive officer of Electromold. How the Australian company of fewer than 25 employees became involved with an aerospace company the size of Boeing underscores the work done around the world by the International Strategic Partnerships team within Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Building global relationships and partnerships, while growing international sales, is a key strategy for Defense, Space & Security—and for all of Boeing. And International Strategic Partnerships is the organization that works across Boeing’s businesses to find opportunities and companies to work with that will help meet the long-term needs of Boeing and its partners. That involves working with local governments and industry around the world to find companies such as Electromold that not only can help Boeing and its suppliers but can in the process strengthen the local aerospace industry. “Our customers want to know that Boeing is about more than just making a sale; they want to know that we will be around for the long term,” said Gwen Kopsie, director of International Strategic Partnerships. In Australia, the International Strategic Partnerships team, known as the Office of Australian Industry Capability, has worked closely with the government and industry to build capability and capacity in the country’s aerospace industry, particularly suppliers. The establishment of the Office of Australian Industry Capability in 2007 marked a significant shift from traditional prescribed industrial commitments to a true partnership: a demonstration of 38 Frontiers February 2014 PHOTO: Electromold inspector Nicholas Collins checks aircraft parts for any signs of fatigue or stress. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Frontiers February 2014 Issue
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