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LAI International earns Boeing Performance Excellence Award
Precision contract manufacturing company recognized for superior performance
An LAI International precision five-axis waterjet
workstation drills diamond-shaped holes in titanium
for a structural screen panel manufactured for the
F-22 Joint Strike Fighter Jet.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ., Jan. 14, 2011 — LAI International, Inc., strategic supplier of precision components and subassemblies for original equipment manufacturers, today announced it has received a Boeing Performance Excellence Award.
LAI maintained a Silver composite performance rating for each month of the 12-month performance period, from Oct. 1, 2009, to Sept. 30, 2010.
This year, Boeing recognized 558 suppliers who achieved either a Gold or Silver level Boeing Performance Excellence Award. LAI is one of only 417 suppliers to receive the Silver level of recognition. The Boeing Company issues the award annually to recognize suppliers who have achieved superior performance.
“We are honored that LAI International has qualified for this recognition,” Stewart Cramer, President, LAI International, said. “Our company is committed to providing all of our customers the highest levels of value, quality and customer service. We are very proud to be a part of the Boeing team.”
LAI supplies a series of precision-machined structural panels for the F-22 Fighter Jet to Boeing.
“We have applied continuous improvement efforts to increase production efficiency with this program, and it has worked exceptionally well to meet Boeing’s high standards of performance,” John Rogers, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, LAI International, said.
LAI coordinates supply-chain management of a complex manufacturing process flow that includes hot-forming, CNC machining, chemical milling, finishing and five-axis precision waterjet drilling — to supply ready-to-assemble components for the aircraft.
“Earning this award has everything to do with our employees taking to heart the continuous improvement work we have done and focusing on providing the customer a great LAI experience,” Frank Bailey, V.P. of Continuous Improvement and Site Leader of LAI’s Minnesota facility, said. “Lean manufacturing and dedicated employees — it does not get much better than that.”
Those who receive the award are eligible for the Boeing Supplier of the Year award and are invited to the Global Supplier Conference, May 17-19.
“LAI International has enjoyed a lasting partnership with Boeing, and we look forward to continuing this productive relationship,” Andy Bartle, Director of Aerospace Products, LAI International, said.
For more information on the award program, see www.Boeing.com/companyoffices/doingbiz/supplier_portal/bpea.html.
About LAI International, Inc.
LAI International, Inc. is a leading contract manufacturer of make-complete precision-engineered components and assemblies for aerospace, power generation, defense, medical and other advanced technology industries. The company’s technology, engineering and manufacturing solutions are used to build components for airframes, aircraft engines, power generators, defense systems, medical devices and other industrial applications.
LAI has developed strategic relationships with leading global OEMs and operates five U.S. manufacturing facilities, with locations in Minneapolis, Phoenix, Tucson, Westminster, Md., and Scarborough, Maine — all of which are IS0 9001:2008 and AS9100 certified. The company also offers Nadcap-certified conventional and non-conventional machining processes.
LAI has developed innovative applications in advanced machining processes, including waterjet cutting and drilling, laser cutting, drilling, welding and heat-treating, EDM drilling, CNC EDM, high-speed EDM, conventional CNC machining, five-axis CNC machining and precision five-axis grinding. The company also provides gage calibration, tooling production, air-flow inspection and additional manufacturing services.
For more information, see www.LAIco.com.
Quick Facts about LAI International
- Five U.S. manufacturing facilities: Phoenix, Tucson, Minneapolis, Westminster, Md., and Scarborough, Maine
- Corporate headquarters located in Scottsdale, Ariz.
- Founded in 1979
- ISO 9001 | AS9100 | Nadcap certified
- ACE Corporate Excellence Award winner, 2008-10
- Boeing Performance Excellence Award, 2010
- GE Customer Impact of the Year Award winner
- Lockheed Martin Corporate STAR Supplier
- Northrop Grumman Platinum Source Preferred Supplier
- Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private U.S. company, four-time award winner, 2007-10
