Over 19 years in the program, Boeing has awarded more than 1,200 export contracts to more than 110 suppliers across Australia. The work has supported Boeing commercial airplanes, defense programs and research and development activities.
Among the companies contributing to the milestone is AW Bell, which received castings work for the 737 and 777 programs as well as other commercial aircraft platforms. Axiom Precision Manufacturing supplies bellcrank assemblies for the CH-47 Chinook and pilot and co-pilot doors for the AH-64 Apache, with its role expanding from Australia’s Apache fleet to all future Apache production programs.
Ferra Engineering has received export contracts for JDAM LR and multiple JDAM Extended Range wing kits. Boeing said the company has also been awarded work on the vertical spar box for Australia’s future Apache fleet and contracts linked to Phantom Works programs.
Boeing said it provides Australian companies in the Global Supply Chain Program with marketing, training and mentoring support. The aim is to help suppliers grow and compete in global aerospace and defense markets.
“Suppliers are critical to our significant Australian operations which today include more than 5,000 employees supporting commercial and defence platforms and services across the country,” said Steve Roberton, president of Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific. “What’s particularly exciting about this GSC Program milestone is that many of these suppliers are Small or Medium-sized enterprises and they are located in every state plus the ACT.”
Boeing said the supplier base supports a broad range of work across commercial and defense platforms. The company described the AU$1 billion mark as evidence of the role Australian firms play in its global supply chain.
The milestone comes ahead of two anniversaries for Boeing in Australia. In 2027, the company will mark 100 years since establishing legacy operations in the country and 20 years since joining the Australian Government’s Global Supply Chain Program.
Boeing said it was the first company to develop and join the initiative. The company said its broader operations include the development, manufacture and servicing of commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries.
