44 Frontiers May 2014 PHOTO: Myiah Johnson, left, a specialist with Global Trade Controls, works with F/A-18 Global Services & Support team members such as Larry Hassel to support F/A-18 customers around the globe. RICHARD RAU/BOEING want to do it in a way that saves our company time and money.” While Global Trade Controls supports Boeing’s day-to-day operations, helping keep parts flowing to busy production lines and exporting products to global customers, it also has to adapt to rapidly changing global trade regulations, Greaney explained. In the United States, trade rules are undergoing significant change, known as Export Control Reform. The goal, announced by President Barack Obama in 2009, is to ensure the tightest control on key technologies, while revising requirements on other items to help U.S. companies compete globally. The first major rules changes under these reforms took effect last October. Global Trade Controls was engaged with the government throughout the development of the rules and spent years preparing for implementation. Since the regulations were implemented, Global Trade Controls and Boeing businesses have been working together on capturing the benefits. For example, some spare parts for CH-47 Chinooks owned by the United Kingdom now can be shipped under what’s called a license exception, meaning less paperwork and faster responses to customer needs. “Although challenging at first, we are now seeing the benefits of having a less restrictive environment in which to operate, both for hardware shipments and for the use of controlled technology in our program,” said Boeing’s Maggie Ritchie, UK Chinook Programme Export representative. So, whether it’s an aircraft or a piece of paper with technical data, the Global Trade Controls team makes sure Boeing can move it around the world where and when it’s needed in compliance with all trade rules. And, noted Greaney, by always improving how Global Trade Controls supports the company’s businesses, saving time and money, it helps ensure Boeing can continue to compete and grow globally. Even if it means the occasional 2 a.m. call. n marc.a.sklar@boeing.com
Frontiers May 2014 Issue
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