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Stronger together: five of the world’s leading certified suppliers of defence and aerospace metals join forces to achieve single certification.

The defence and aerospace industries are global and, as such, need a global capability from its supply chain. But, a capability that not only demonstrates streamlined procedures and continual improvement, but one that also recognises the value of local service and support.

The universally accepted mark of a trusted supply chain is one that meets the stringent ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Quality Management System (QMS) standards. Aero Metals Alliance (AMA), a global partnership of leading metals suppliers to the global defence and aerospace manufacturing industries, is one such supplier that has recently been awarded global consolidated certifications for EN/AS9100 and 9120, achieving single certification to the AS9100 industry-recognised QMS standard.

What does it mean to be EN/AS 9100 and 9120 certified?
The ISO 9000 family is the world’s best-known quality management standard for companies and organisations of any size. The objective of ISO 9001 is to provide a set of requirements that, if effectively implemented, will give original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) confidence that a supplier can consistently provide products and services that:
• Meet its needs and expectations
• Comply with applicable regulations
Specific to aerospace, aviation and defence industries, the ISO AS9100 QMS standard fully incorporates the entirety of the current version of ISO 9001, while adding requirements relating to quality and safety. It is universally adhered to by aerospace OEMs and the wider supply chain.

The recent single certification underscore AMA’s commitment to meeting and exceeding the increasingly stringent industry requirements for aerospace related products.

AMA's Commitment to Quality
AMA comprises five of the world’s leading suppliers of metals - two UK-based distribution businesses: Gould Alloys and Wilsons Metals, together with three overseas businesses; Service Centres Aero (SCA), Progressive Alloy Steels Unlimited (PASU) and Sunshine Metals. Its network of strategically located service centres, each with its own processing capabilities, collectively offer: cutting, shape cutting, milling, surfacing, sawing, drilling, guillotining, waterjet cutting, USI testing, heat treating or re-tempering, forgings and machining to near net shape to national and international customers.

All five businesses have established their own reputations for industry experience, knowledge and expertise to service the needs of its ‘local’ customers. Collectively, the Aero Metals Alliance structure enables a pooling of resources and technical knowledge to bring a trusted global supply chain to the defence and aerospace manufacturing industries.

Each of the AMA businesses hold long-standing individual certification, but the business units recognised the importance of holding global consolidated approvals. The group sought to achieve single certification to showcase its interconnected expertise and highlight its collective commitment to quality. BSI was selected as the project accreditation body and cross-site audits were conducted. Throughout the project, the businesses worked ever closer together to drive improvements across its sites for the benefit of its wide-ranging customer base. Core business processes, covering all locations, were agreed to create an AMA standard global monitoring and measuring system. Consolidation certifications were issued in May 2021.

Martin Pennington, AMA Group Quality Manager, said; “It has been an exciting challenge to achieve this unified quality approach and recognition. The journey to achieve our goal would not have been possible without the teamwork within our Alliance. I would like to thank everyone that has supported this enhancement to our business model.”

Simon Bell, BSI Global Client Coordinator commented; “Having worked with AMA over the past 18 months it has been great to see the level of commitment and dedication to this goal. The AMA team based in the UK have supported the global teams through the consolidation process and demonstrated a joined-up approach to quality management that is vital to multiple site QMS and certification.”

He continued, “Now the team has reached this achievement, the real challenge will begin, with the global team aiming to work closer together to drive improvements across all sites for the benefit of their wide range of customers. We look forward to working with the team to help ensure that the management system continues to meet the requirements and creates added value for the business and its interested parties.”

The consolidation of AMA’s quality systems not only serves to strengthen the AMA union, but also gives defence and aerospace customers the assurance of a continued commitment to quality.

Reproduced with the kind permission of Military Systems & Technology

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