Boeing engaged Australian small-to-medium enterprise Quickstep Technologies to supply the United States Marine Corps’ AV-8B Harrier fleet with 260 urgent, obsolete aircraft parts. Sydney-based Quickstep Technologies, a leading global manufacturer of composite solutions for the defence and commercial aerospace and advanced industry sectors, supplied Boeing Global Services with the required composite parts so that a number of grounded aircraft could rapidly resume flying.
With a 16,000sqm composite manufacturing plant at Bankstown Airport in Sydney, Quickstep manufactured the parts at short notice after they could not be sourced domestically in the US.
Boeing Defence Australia Supply Chain Management Director Nick Gothard said it was invaluable to have key industry partners like Quickstep who could respond quickly to help Boeing keep a key customer’s aircraft operational.
“Boeing’s vital sustainment activities on the United States Marine Corps’ AV-8B Harrier fleet is boosted by our partnerships with small-and-medium enterprises like Quickstep,” Gothard said.
“This collaboration between Boeing and Quickstep shows Australian industry’s great potential to find innovative solutions for our global customers.
“Stand-alone contracts like these also help grow the capability and size of our Australian industry.”
Quickstep was initially engaged by Boeing’s Office of Australian Industry Capability, which has worked for years to support export opportunities for Australian SMEs.
Steve Osborne, Quickstep’s General Manager Business Development, said his team was honoured to work with Boeing on a global scale.
“We’re proud to step up and work with Boeing as well as support the operational needs of one of Australia’s closest allies,” Osborne said.
“We look forward to continuing to grow our relationship with Boeing and demonstrating our capability to deliver high-quality composite solutions across its defence business.”
boeing.com.au
