GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 20, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Smiths Aerospace (LSE:SMIN) has been recognized by Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Integrated Systems sector as a 2004 Supplier of the Year for its work on the B-2 data entry panel program. Smiths has been a Northrop Grumman supplier for more than 50 years. In addition to the B-2, Smiths provides systems for the Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye, F-14, X-47B J-UCAS and RQ-4B Global Hawk, among others.
Smiths Aerospace was one of 12 companies to receive a Supplier of the Year designation in this, the inaugural year for the awards program.
Smiths Aerospace supplies a number of systems on the B-2 including:
-- Data entry panel -- Motion sensor subsystem -- Cockpit control panels -- Lighting control -- Battery control system -- Transformer rectifier unit -- Power supplies
Northrop Grumman developed its Supplier of the Year Award program to recognize the critical role that its suppliers play in creating the affordable, high performance products that the company produces for U.S. and international customers. The program is an outgrowth of the company's strategic sourcing initiative, an effort started in summer 2003 to build stronger long-term relationships between the company and its suppliers.
Under this initiative, every supplier is "graded" quarterly on parameters such as quality, on-time delivery and participation in affordability initiatives. To be considered for a Supplier of the Year award, a company must demonstrate consistent superior performance in delivering products and services to Northrop Grumman.
Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for a variety of tactical and strategic airborne systems, including the U.S. Air Force's B-2 stealth bomber, the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, and Global Hawk unmanned aerial reconnaissance system; and the U.S. Navy's E-2 family of early warning and battle management aircraft, among others. It also serves as a major subcontractor to Lockheed Martin on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and to Boeing on the Navy's F/A-18 program.
"We're looking for companies who provide strategic value to the company through high quality products, on-time delivery and a general responsiveness to our cost, schedule, and quality requirements," explains Bob Lewis, director of the Northrop Grumman strategic sourcing teams that selected the Suppliers of the Year. "We're also looking for suppliers who can support us across multiple business areas."
According to Lewis, the company is also encouraging its suppliers to invest in the machine tools, software and manufacturing processes that raise quality, increase efficiency and lower the overall cost of doing business.
"We view these strategic sourcing relationships as a real win-win opportunity for the company and its suppliers," he adds. "The more consistent and efficient our suppliers become at producing their products, the more successful they can become at expanding their business opportunities with Northrop Grumman. The more value they can bring to our production process, the better able we are to deliver high quality, high performance products to our customers at a competitive price. It's a team effort."
Smiths Aerospace is a leading transatlantic aerospace equipment and systems company, with aerospace sales approaching $2 billion and more than 10,000 staff split between Europe and North America. Smiths holds key positions in the supply chains with all major military and civil aircraft and engine manufacturers. Strategically organized businesses focus on digital, electrical and mechanical systems, engine components and customer services.