FIA 2014: Northern Ireland aerospace companies receive SC21 awards
The award-winning companies are:
• Denroy Plastics Ltd based in Bangor – SC21 Silver Award
• Vulcanium Metals International based in Newtownards – SC21 Silver Award
• RTA Ireland Ltd from Kilkeel – SC21 Bronze Award
The SC21 programme, run by ADS and supported by Invest Northern Ireland, aims to increase the competitiveness of the UK aerospace and defence industries. The SC21 awards are recognised as being the standard of excellence across the industries and are awarded to companies which have reached levels of excellence in service delivery and manufacturing quality. To date, there are around 700 UK businesses on the SC21 continuous improvement journey, with Northern Ireland doing particularly well as award winners, reflecting the aerospace strength in the region.
RTA Ireland Ltd is the first Northern Ireland company to receive the award as a “self-starter”. Denroy Plastics and Vulcanium Metals were led through the SC21 programme by their prime customer Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast.
Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster congratulated the award winners during a visit to Farnborough. Minister Foster said: “The SC21 initiative provides an opportunity for Northern Ireland companies to demonstrate their capabilities and competence on a national scale. The structured approach Denroy Plastics, Vulcanium Metals and RTA Ireland have taken to improvement through the SC21 programme is impressive and has enabled these companies to consistently deliver a superior quality product and service to their customers.”
Commenting on the awards, Stephen Cowan, Bombardier’s Vice President of Supply Chain, said: “The SC21 programme is having a clear impact on Northern Ireland suppliers, as evidenced today by these awards and the fact that a number of companies engaged in the programme are now witnessing a significant increase in their sales. I would like to commend the companies on their awards today, and for their commitment to improving their competitiveness and developing their capabilities. Through SC21 and the work of the Aerospace Growth Partnership, we are ensuring that we have a supply chain that will enable the UK aerospace industry to differentiate itself from the global competition in high-technology, high-value areas.”
Dr Leslie Orr, ADS Northern Ireland Manager commented: “In an increasingly competitive market, it is critical that our companies stay ahead. To achieve an SC21 award, a company must demonstrate world-class business performance in all aspects including delivery and services to customers.
“These companies are a terrific example of what can be achieved by participating in the programme and implementing changes to radically improve performance, efficiency and ultimately support business growth. On behalf of the aerospace industry in the region, we congratulate all the staff at Denroy Plastics, Vulcanium Metals and RTA Ireland.”
