The Philippine aerospace industry is gearing towards complying and aligning its capabilities as global suppliers of aerospace parts and components as qualified local aerospace companies are set to undergo training that will assist them in implementing Aerospace Quality Management System (AQMS) in their firms leading to AS9100 certification.
AS9100 is a widely adopted and standardized quality management system for the aerospace industry. Major aerospace manufacturers and suppliers worldwide require accreditation to AS9100 as a condition of doing business with them.
An initiative under the Aerospace Roadmap, the training program is set to be implemented this year under the “Supporting Philippine Companies in the Preparation and Implementation of an AQMS Aligned with AS9100 Requirements” Project following the recent signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Board of Investments (BOI) of the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), the Metal Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Aerospace Industries Association of the Philippines (AIAP).
“The next two decades could see the Philippines becoming a hub for manufacturing and aftermarket services in the aerospace and aviation industries in the ASEAN region. As the country’s participation in the global value chain is increasing, the capability-training programs suits well as these will further enhance the competitiveness of our local aerospace industry. This means more quality jobs for Filipinos and more export earnings for the country,” said Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo during his keynote message at the ceremonial signing of the agreement with MIRDC and AIAP at the Innovation Hub of the DTI International Building in Makati City.
Under the Tripartite Collaboration Project, the BOI, under the Industry Development Program (IDP), will provide the funding as well as coordinative and administrative support for the smooth implementation of the program. MIRDC meanwhile will implement the program in coordination with the AIAP for the needed assistance specifically in the pre-screening and selection of prospective participating companies to the capability-building training activities.
The Aerospace Industry Roadmap envisions the country to be a hub in aerospace parts manufacturing and allied services (MRO) in Asia. The industry also projects to export an estimated US$ 2.57 billion worth of aerospace parts and components by 2022, and for the industry to employ around 15,000 personnel by 2022.
Authored by the AIAP with the guidance of the BOI and other government industry stakeholders, the Aerospace Industry Roadmap identified technological constraints in the integration of process capabilities in the country. Apart from the challenge of building a pool of suppliers with AS9100 and NADCAP certifications, the industry is also challenged in the areas of small supply base that can cater to the requirements of the Tier 1 aerospace parts manufacturers in the Philippines. Additionally, investments in critical supply chain gaps, such as surface treatment, heat treatment, plating, anodizing for aerospace application, is needed to reduce cost of local manufacturers to 19 percent.
The roadmap is being implemented through a Technical Working Group composed of several government agencies such the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation, MIRDC, Commission of Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Philippine International Trading Corp. along with the private sector composed of the AIAP, the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul industry and the Aviation Schools Association of the Philippines.