As a result of the sale of military products and services to the UK, Boeing commits to delivering industrial participation benefits to UK defence and defence-related companies. Under the direction of Tim Wheeler, Boeing has a dedicated UK industrial participation team with representatives for major regions of the UK. In 2008, Boeing held industry outreach events in Northern Ireland, the Southeast and Scotland.
These events focused on Boeing’s requirements in composites and high technology and indentifying UK companies that could fulfill these needs. Industry outreach events are also being planned for other regions in 2009.
The objectives of the Boeing UK industrial participation team support the Defense Industrial Strategy and the Defense Technology Strategy, with a particular emphasis on helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) gain opportunities in the defence industry.
An example of this assistance to SMEs concerns a UK company, Lobo Systems Ltd. Lobo makes a re-configurable work platform that was suited for the specific needs of Boeing IDS Advanced Manufacturing in St. Louis. Boeing UK industrial participation programs identified this opportunity and introduced Lobo Systems to the Advanced Manufacturing group. As a result of this introduction, one of their systems was eventually sold to the Advanced Manufacturing group and the purchase of additional units is being considered.
The Boeing UK industrial participation team has also identified opportunities for the Lobo equipment outside of Boeing and continues to look at new possibilities for this equipment, both internally and externally. Commenting on the assistance provided by the Boeing UK industrial participation team, Rob Bokros, Managing Director for Lobo Systems, Ltd. had this to say:
“As a small-to-medium UK company, we have found the Boeing UK Industrial Participation Program invaluable. We have worked with Boeing over a number of years and have enjoyed many successes resulting from the long-term relationship.
The programme has introduced Lobo to US companies that might otherwise have not been so receptive to interacting with unknown foreign companies such as ours.
The relationships we’ve built, with companies such as General Motors, are a testament to the success of the initiative.
Many thanks to Boeing for their previous support and we look forward to continuing our commitment."
Boeing IP will provide marketing assistance to British firms that are positioned to compete and sell their products and services to Boeing and its supply chain. While competitive cost, quality and schedule are required to capture new business, the IP team is looking for additional compelling business reasons for Boeing to take an interest. Examples include breakthrough performance, extreme affordability, enduring sustainability or environmentally progressive products and services. The more closely we can work with British companies to focus on the needs of Boeing and its supply chain, the greater the likelihood of identifying a successful partnership.
We encourage British firms to research Boeing’s business in order to identify a fit based on a solid business case and to understand their own competition and markets. Before contacting the identified Boeing representative, please prepare a brief overview of your company, describing where and how you can add value to Boeing, your competitive discriminators, and examples of successes that relate to the defence and defence-related industries, by using and completing the two documents listed below.
- White Paper Guidelines (.pdf)
- Template (.pdf)
If you would like to learn more about Boeing UK industrial participation programs and how they could help your UK company gain access to opportunities within the defense industry, please contact Mr.Tim Wheeler on +44 (20) 7340 1972 or e-mail: Tim.J.Wheeler@boeing.com