Success story | Securing supply of plastic Parts for a major aircraft manufacturer

SECURING PLASTIC PARTS FOR A MAJOR AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER

CHALLENGES

The COVID pandemic, together with recent climatic episodes and geopolitical events, led to tensions in the global supply of plastic materials. With more than 30% of parts containing polymers, but limited global consumption, aeronautical manufacturers are exposed to risks associated with material shortages.

SOLUTIONS

To secure availability of polymers for aircraft production:

• We mapped the use of polymers in the products and manufacturing processes to evaluate probability and exposure to material shortages based on market surveys
• We developed processes and trained resources for systematic collection and diffusion of shortage weak signals at company scale
• We assessed and implemented adapted risk mitigation actions including localization of material in the Supply-Chain, qualification of alternatives, adjustment of stocks, raw material reservation, Design for Supply or designs adaptation.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Risk analysis: Assessment of both polymer shortage probability and potential impacts
• Monitoring system tools and organization enabling efficient risk detection and alerts transmission throughout the company
• Derisking toolkit: 10 processes developed, tested and formalized to fit in customer’s context and bring result from day 1

CUSTOMER BENEFITS

• 15 detailed investigations of polymer families supporting comprehensive risk analysis
• 20+ crisis solved with no impact on the assembly line
• -33% reduction of crisis occurrence with limited investments thanks to early mitigation

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