Fighter role for Blackpool engineering firm
A Blackpool company has been selected by BAE Systems to play a key role in the production of the F-35 (Joint Strike Fighter) aircraft.
John Huddleston Engineering is one of four companies across the region chosen to take part in a multi-million pounds supply chain excellence scheme, funded by the North West Development Agency.
The scheme will see all four companies working closely in partnership with BAE Systems at its Samlesbury manufacturing base to drive down cost and ensure quality and delivery service levels.
The F-35 aircraft has entered the Low Rate Initial Production LRIP phase of the programme (whilst preparing for Full Rate Production). This demands a rate of production from manufacturing one aircraft per month increasing to a planned rate of more than one a day by 2016.
As a result BAE Systems is finalising all long term agreements with its external suppliers for a number of products.
BAE Systems has provided 13 mentors to the supply chain programme, who work with supplier companies to help improve individual company performance and move the companies closer towards world class capability
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said: “The Aerospace sector in the Northwest has an annual turnover close to £7 Billion and forms almost a third of the total UK Aerospace turnover making it the most significant region in the UK."