How to get ramp-up ready

External supplier checks will be imperative to ensuring a successful ramp up, as the report has revealed that 38% of suppliers had inadequate processes for capacity planning, and almost one in ten had experienced significant operational issues which compromised their ability to ramp up production. To guide manufacturers as they begin to plan external supplier assessments, the report identifies seven key steps that should be taken when managing their supply chain and seeking to improve efficiency. 

This seven-step approach begins by understanding the ramp up in terms of the demand curve and timescale expectations. This understanding then allows manufacturers to conduct an in-depth assessment of their supply chain’s state of readiness and rank areas of risk in order of priority. Once these activities have been completed, the approach then stresses the importance of conducting in-person as well as virtual assessments to build trusted relationships with suppliers and move towards a more collaborative way of working.

The next step is to create a detailed action plan that accounts for all identified risks, utilising data to create a live digital tool that will provide end-to-end visibility as the ramp up progresses. In areas such as this, it is important to gain ‘buy-in’ from suppliers, and to deliver all messages of improvement in a way that is supportive, as opposed to instructing from the top down. The approach additionally explains that raising understanding and providing support across the supply chain will be crucial to ensuring a successful programme, particularly as skills and staffing shortages are still having a large impact on the sector.

Whilst it is important to conduct detailed internal and external reviews at the outset, these assessments should also be repeated at intervals during the ramp up, increasing data maturity for both manufacturers and suppliers as the programme continues. This will additionally ensure that all learnings are captured and all new ways of working are recorded, leading to continuous improvement as the review cycle is implemented. The creation of this new ‘business as usual’ approach is the final step towards building a ramp-up ready supply chain, increasing resilience and efficiencies. 

The pace of the ramp-up challenge currently underway in the aerospace industry is unprecedented and while manufacturers have much to do to ensure both they and their supply chains are capable of meeting production targets, there could be opportunities to increase market share for those that get it right. By ensuring that both internal and external processes are optimised from the start of any rate increase, manufacturers and OEMs are certain to put themselves in the best position to meet the current targets for 2025 and beyond.