The NWAA ASCE Programme - History and Development
The NWAA launched its Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence (ASCE) Programme at Farnborough Air show in July 2006. Backed by £4.2 million of regional government funding from the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA), and in-kind contribution and support from AIRBUS UK, BAE SYSTEMS and Rolls-Royce PLC, the ASCE programme is the first coordinated approach to supplier development in the UK Aerospace Industry.
The aerospace cluster is a major contributor to the economy and social fabric of the North West. With a turnover of more than £6.8 Billion, the regions aerospace cluster employs 50,000 people directly. A further 120,000 jobs are indirectly dependant on aerospace employment. The sector faces a number of challenges from:
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Globalisation
Supply chain Rationalisation
Step Changes in platforms and technology -
In order to survive in today’s aggressive environment, world competitive capability is necessary. Before the launch of the NWAA ASCE Programme, the Aerospace sector was facing a number of challenges. The OEM’s strategy was clearly defined – to deal with a very small number of suppliers. Industry needed to respond by restructuring and tiering the supply chain. SME’s were facing difficulty in knowing where to strategically position themselves and which direction to take. Supply chain communications were poor and a blame culture was endemic. The development of the NWAA Supply Chain Workshops improved the Supply chain communications and provided consistent two-way interaction, but further help was required.
The ASCE programme has been shaped by North West Regional Aerospace Companies in Supply Chain Workshops delivered in conjunction with AIRBUS UK, BAE SYSTEMS and Rolls-Royce PLC, and with a passionate belief in the future prosperity of the Aerospace industry. A strong partnership between the NWAA and the ASCE programme stakeholders has been developed to deliver the programme which aims to enable companies on the programme to become World Competitive. We aim to ensure the future supply chain in the North West of England is fully integrated with all work taking place at the appropriate level, ensuring optimum cost and acceptable risk.
The NWAA ASCE Programme is assisting the creation of a world competitive supply chain in the North West of England by aiding the companies involved to develop and continually improve processes, in line with the demands of the industry.
Our aim is to work with 45 companies across the North West of England over a 4 year period and deliver a significant improvement to each company, which in turn will safeguard jobs in the Industry and encourage future investment, benefiting the whole of the North West.
