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LAI International recognized as Northrop Grumman Platinum Source Preferred Supplier for third-consecutive year
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 6, 2011 — LAI International, Inc., a strategic supplier of precision components and subassemblies for original equipment manufacturers, was honored by aerospace and defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. in its annual supplier awards program.
LAI International was recognized as a Platinum Source Preferred Supplier for quality control and on-time delivery of precision-manufactured airframe components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. It is the third consecutive year LAI International has won the award.
Stewart Cramer, president, and Andy Bartle, director of aerospace products, represented LAI International among 56 U.S. and Canadian suppliers recognized at Northrop Grumman’s annual awards program at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott. LAI was one of 52 firms named as Platinum Source Preferred Suppliers for 2010.
LAI has received similar recognition from Lockheed Martin and the Boeing Company.
LAI has a multi-year contract to manufacture 21 different highly engineered, precision-machined titanium and aluminum structural panels that fit on the airframe of three variants of the advanced attack aircraft F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Jet — a Conventional Take-Off and Landing aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, a Carrier Variant for the U.S. Navy; and a Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps and the Royal Navy. As many as 15 international customers are expected to participate in the program.
LAI has collaborated with its customers to engineer the panels for manufacturability, and the LAI team coordinates supply chain management of several manufacturing processes — including hot-forming, CNC machining, chemical milling, finishing and five-axis precision waterjet drilling — to supply completed components for assembly on the aircraft.
LAI International is one of only 43 suppliers from the United States and Canada, or roughly three percent, of Northrop Grumman’s suppliers to have achieved continuing status as a Platinum Preferred Supplier. Only nine suppliers were named as new Platinum Preferred Suppliers. There were 1,658 suppliers as of 2010.
The awards recognize companies for achieving distinction in product quality, on-time delivery, customer satisfaction and robust lean processes. The companies honored this year provide Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector with products ranging from aircraft parts and assemblies to sophisticated electronics for spacecraft, as well as everyday services.
“In today's current economic environment, our success depends on the affordability of our products and services,” said Chuck Wands, sector vice president and chief financial officer, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. “These suppliers have demonstrated a commitment to excellence, and I congratulate them on their achievements and support of Northrop Grumman.”
“Northrop Grumman has always been rigorous in its selection of suppliers, so your recognition here today is a testimony to your hard work, know-how and dedication to being a valued part of the Northrop Grumman product team,” said Lisa Kohl, sector vice president, Global Supply Chain, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, who presided at the April 27, 2011, awards ceremony. “We recognize the critical part that you play in helping us to achieve our vision, to be the leader in preserving freedom and advancing discovery by providing our customers with innovative and affordable integrated air, space and ground solutions.”
Northrop Grumman presented awards in two categories, Platinum Source Preferred and Supplier of the Year, with 26 awards going to small businesses, including two small disadvantaged-owned businesses, as recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The Supplier of the Year program recognizes suppliers in six categories: Special Recognition, Research & Development, Non-Production, Small Business, Procurement and Subcontracts. To be considered for a Supplier of the Year award, a company must demonstrate consistently superior performance and quality in delivering products and services.
The awards recognize companies for achieving distinction in product quality, on-time delivery, customer satisfaction, and robust lean processes. Companies honored this year provide Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector with products ranging from aircraft parts and assemblies to sophisticated electronics for spacecraft, as well as everyday services.
The awards program is an outgrowth of the company’s strategic sourcing initiative, an effort that began in 2003 to build stronger long-term relationships with suppliers. Under this initiative, every supplier is graded on parameters such as quality, on-time delivery, customer satisfaction and participation in affordability initiatives.
For more information about LAI International, go to www.LAIco.com. Also, see www.NorthropGrumman.com and www.GlobeNewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=220474.
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
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 6, 2011 — LAI International, Inc., a strategic supplier of precision components and subassemblies for original equipment manufacturers, was honored by aerospace and defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. in its annual supplier awards program.
LAI International was recognized as a Platinum Source Preferred Supplier for quality control and on-time delivery of precision-manufactured airframe components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. It is the third consecutive year LAI International has won the award.
Stewart Cramer, president, and Andy Bartle, director of aerospace products, represented LAI International among 56 U.S. and Canadian suppliers recognized at Northrop Grumman’s annual awards program at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott. LAI was one of 52 firms named as Platinum Source Preferred Suppliers for 2010.
LAI has received similar recognition from Lockheed Martin and the Boeing Company.
LAI has a multi-year contract to manufacture 21 different highly engineered, precision-machined titanium and aluminum structural panels that fit on the airframe of three variants of the advanced attack aircraft F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Jet — a Conventional Take-Off and Landing aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, a Carrier Variant for the U.S. Navy; and a Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps and the Royal Navy. As many as 15 international customers are expected to participate in the program.
LAI has collaborated with its customers to engineer the panels for manufacturability, and the LAI team coordinates supply chain management of several manufacturing processes — including hot-forming, CNC machining, chemical milling, finishing and five-axis precision waterjet drilling — to supply completed components for assembly on the aircraft.
LAI International is one of only 43 suppliers from the United States and Canada, or roughly three percent, of Northrop Grumman’s suppliers to have achieved continuing status as a Platinum Preferred Supplier. Only nine suppliers were named as new Platinum Preferred Suppliers. There were 1,658 suppliers as of 2010.
The awards recognize companies for achieving distinction in product quality, on-time delivery, customer satisfaction and robust lean processes. The companies honored this year provide Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector with products ranging from aircraft parts and assemblies to sophisticated electronics for spacecraft, as well as everyday services.
“In today's current economic environment, our success depends on the affordability of our products and services,” said Chuck Wands, sector vice president and chief financial officer, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. “These suppliers have demonstrated a commitment to excellence, and I congratulate them on their achievements and support of Northrop Grumman.”
“Northrop Grumman has always been rigorous in its selection of suppliers, so your recognition here today is a testimony to your hard work, know-how and dedication to being a valued part of the Northrop Grumman product team,” said Lisa Kohl, sector vice president, Global Supply Chain, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, who presided at the April 27, 2011, awards ceremony. “We recognize the critical part that you play in helping us to achieve our vision, to be the leader in preserving freedom and advancing discovery by providing our customers with innovative and affordable integrated air, space and ground solutions.”
Northrop Grumman presented awards in two categories, Platinum Source Preferred and Supplier of the Year, with 26 awards going to small businesses, including two small disadvantaged-owned businesses, as recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The Supplier of the Year program recognizes suppliers in six categories: Special Recognition, Research & Development, Non-Production, Small Business, Procurement and Subcontracts. To be considered for a Supplier of the Year award, a company must demonstrate consistently superior performance and quality in delivering products and services.
The awards recognize companies for achieving distinction in product quality, on-time delivery, customer satisfaction, and robust lean processes. Companies honored this year provide Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector with products ranging from aircraft parts and assemblies to sophisticated electronics for spacecraft, as well as everyday services.
The awards program is an outgrowth of the company’s strategic sourcing initiative, an effort that began in 2003 to build stronger long-term relationships with suppliers. Under this initiative, every supplier is graded on parameters such as quality, on-time delivery, customer satisfaction and participation in affordability initiatives.
For more information about LAI International, go to www.LAIco.com. Also, see www.NorthropGrumman.com and www.GlobeNewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=220474.
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
