Member Article

Defence initiative to support SMEs into supply chains

The Northern Defence Industries (NDI) has launched a new initiative in partnership with Lockheed Martin to support SMEs in the supply chains of the future.

The Fitter for Purpose initiative will provide a series of workshops teaching businesses how to position themselves within the supply chains of multinational manufacturers.

NDI will oversee the project, while Lockheed Martin will give valuable insight into the inner workings of the tendering process at major firms.

Four modules will run over a day in Oxford on January 31, and will cover Master Plan and Schedule (IMPS), Programme Management, Risk Management and Requirements Management.

David Townsley, executive director of NDI, said: “The current realities of the National, European and Global economies mean that companies, including SMEs, are generally facing greater competition than ever to break into new supply chains or retain their incumbency.

“Meanwhile, another ever-present challenge facing SMEs operating at the extremities of prime contractor supply networks is that whenever pressure is applied at the centre of the network, the effects inevitably permeate through to them.

“That said, there remain significant opportunities across all of the industries NDI works with, including defence, security, aerospace and space, and we aim to open up these up to UK firms through the Fitter for Purpose programme.”

Chief executive of Lockheed Martin UK added: “Doing business with UK based suppliers and small businesses adds fuel to the engine of the UK economy. Lockheed Martin spends £1 billion a year with its UK suppliers, both large and small, sustaining some 10,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide.

“By virtue of their size, SMEs often have unique attributes which make them agile and responsive in progressing innovative thinking and new technologies. As our strategy to expand our UK business develops further, small and medium enterprises figure prominently in our plans. Our team is working to develop mutually beneficial relationships which utilise this agility and innovation.”

For more information on the Fitter for Purpose programme and to book your place, visit: www.ndi.org.uk or call 0191 426 6333

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .