Automotive and Aerospace Manufacturers Look to Management Systems

Around the world, businesses have witnessed events over the last few years that we never could have imagined. From a global pandemic to policy changes within countries, and now a war that is being felt across oceans, companies continue to face the consequences of these developments. The aerospace and automotive industries have been especially impacted by the domino effect of such events and the massive supply chain disruptions that have followed.

Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the automotive industry rely on only one supplier that is located in only one region of the world. If there is any sort of disruption in that area, it causes a massive interruption to the entire supply chain. This can lead to delays as well as sky-high prices. Global challenges have resulted in longer delays for manufacturing products, bringing about inefficiencies throughout the entire manufacturing process.

With aerospace being a longer-term industry for manufacturing, it has not been hit as hard as the automotive industry. However, as global conflicts continue, the risks for OEMs have increased. The tightening of commodity supplies is one of the main medium-term risks for the global aerospace industry. Aerospace companies have been on high alert, making sure their supply chains do not fall victim to the same challenges as those in the automotive industry. While businesses should always be working to be as efficient as possible, current events have only emphasized the need to be prepared and to maximize these efforts.

Following the challenges of the last several years, OEMs and manufacturers are looking to increase their productivity and work more efficiently. Implementing a management system is a great tool for manufacturers seeking to improve their business. A strong system can ensure that a company’s framework is set up for continuous improvement while utilizing best practices from across the aerospace or automotive industries.

NSF-ISR offers certification to widely respected and accepted automotive and aerospace management systems standards that provide the outline of a framework capable of driving continuous improvements for efficiency. Utilizing a third-party certification body, such as NSR-ISR, helps manufacturers understand the ins and outs of industry requirements and begin operating faster. Additionally, third-party support organizations, like NSF-ISR, assess an organization’s holistic implementation against the requirements and associated international standards.

Certification through an accredited third-party offers an independent outside review of an organization’s system to ensure appropriate and effective implementation. As an example, new aerospace OEMs and manufacturers may not be aware that there are mandatory standards for their industry. With the help of NSF-ISR, companies can learn about the potential pitfalls of defined requirements in their systems, helping them avoid further delays in the manufacturing process.

NSF certifies to the mandatory AS9100 Series standards, required for aviation, space and defense companies, including:

• AS9100: A management system for suppliers, manufacturers or service providers at any level of the supply chain in the aerospace industry
• AS9110: A management system specific to maintenance, service, modification, repair and articles used for commercial, private and military aircraft
• AS9120: A management system for distributors, resellers or warehousing of parts

Similarly, specific industry requirements span the automotive sector through the IATF 16949 automotive quality management system certification. This certification outlines the fundamental tools needed to help manufacturers/service providers improve the quality of their products and processes, as well as to help them gain supplier-of-choice status with automotive manufacturers across the globe. It is important to note that both the AS9100 series and IATF 16949 requirements are often a prerequisite to conducting business with most major OEMs and their suppliers, given the credibility and confidence offered by an accredited certificate. These are a few examples of industry requirements that NSF-ISR can help companies learn about to assist them in navigating industry challenges.

Not only can accredited certification ensure that organizations have the tools needed to help them improve their operations, but organizations can also gain a competitive advantage by becoming preferred sources/suppliers for these manufacturers and OEMs. Often, companies that provide highly controlled and/or regulated products and services (e.g., Parts Manufacturing Approval (PMA) or Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), etc.) look to partner with organizations that carry an accredited management system certificate. This is due to the assurance that the system has been independently and objectively reviewed. Additionally, the manufacturers and OEMs as well as their global supply base require or endorse certification to ensure that certain base principles have been implemented.

Finally, third-party certification may also help businesses access new geographical markets. In Latin America, for example, manufacturers and OEMs are required to have a certified management system to export their products to the United States. Certification offers these companies a chance to expand further into global markets and win new business. Indeed, certification through NSF-ISR helps businesses in numerous ways to increase output, meet industry requirements, become preferred manufacturers and expand globally.