Aerospace is a massive industry, bringing us some of the most innovative technologies in the world. It’s no surprise that developing these high-tech solutions comes with some challenges.
Businesses in the aerospace industry face a highly regulated environment, intense supply chain demands and fast-paced technological developments, among other hurdles. Keeping up with these issues calls for diverse changes, from retention-focused hiring to new equipment solutions.
Let’s take a look at these challenges and what aerospace manufacturers and suppliers can do to combat them.
From technology to production to labor, aerospace companies have a lot of ground to cover. Below are some of the top challenges in the aerospace industry.
Equipment for the aircraft industry is continually improving. Industry standards and manufacturing practices must improve with them. Consider the rise of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) or artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies have become indispensable for many businesses.
Staying abreast of new industry developments is crucial for keeping pace or gaining an advantage over the competition. You need to take every possible advantage when you’re up against so many capable organizations. Of course, when these new technologies appear, you’ll want to maximize the value of your existing equipment and minimize interruptions. Flexibility plays a critical role in adapting to new technology.
Supply chain challenges have hit nearly every industry, but manufacturers have had an especially tough time with them. According to a 2022 study, 80% of manufacturing executives reported a heavy or very heavy impact on their supply chain in the previous 12-18 months. As one of the top challenges in the aerospace industry, the impact of supply chain issues can hit many areas of business through:
Aerospace often involves a lot of red tape, compliance issues and overseas trade, making supply chain challenges especially pressing.
Like other organizations, aerospace businesses must prepare for supply chain challenges by building resilient systems and networks. If slow processing times lead to bottlenecks, consider finding ways to speed up production. If outsourcing components or processes — especially overseas — is causing too much outside reliance, see if you can bring them in-house or at least on-shore.
As a highly regulated industry, aerospace companies must always be on alert for new policies and regulations. For example, a standards organization may issue new parts washing and cleanliness specifications. You may need to significantly redesign your cleaning processes to stay up to date while retaining the value of your existing equipment and protocols. Some areas where you might see policy and regulation changes include the following:
Consider future legislation whenever you develop new procedures or buy new equipment. Clean, sustainable business practices are gaining ground as a regulatory requirement. Look for equipment and processes that are as eco-friendly as possible, such as parts cleaners that use less water or work without harmful chemicals.
Keep clean aircraft in mind, too. As eco-friendly air travel becomes more popular, so will the demand for low-emissions aircraft and other technologies that reduce the impact of travel.
Competition in this industry is fierce, especially when you’re up against a few massive corporations with seemingly endless resources. Aerospace businesses need to find ways to stand out and add value to their products. Whether you’re focusing on innovative new technology, unmatched precision or ultra-fast turnarounds, lean into your specialty. Collect relevant certifications and inspections, forge network connections and promote your unique services to stand out from the industry giants.
Most industries are facing workforce challenges and manufacturing and aerospace businesses are no exception. Some of the factors contributing to aerospace labor issues include:
Creating a resilient workforce might entail new training initiatives, recruitment tactics and benefits policies.
Automation can also be immensely valuable in reducing your labor demands. Consider how equipment solutions for the aerospace industry can limit the need for human intervention. Automation can reduce occurrences of human error, free up skilled employees for higher-level tasks and limit workforce management demands.
Equipment solutions can solve or mitigate some of these challenges for many in the aerospace industry. Your choice of equipment — from modern technology and future-proofed designs to automation and expanded in-house capabilities — plays a significant role in staying competitive, efficient and profitable.
Be sure to work with a dependable solutions provider. Ongoing support and implementation services can help you maximize your return on investment. For example, here at New England Sales, we deliver modern, reliable equipment solutions and support. Streamline your production and boost product quality with our collection of deburring and mass finishing equipment for the aerospace industry.
We work with top manufacturers to provide an array of finishing and deburring solutions, including eco-friendly options. Our deburring equipment options include vibrating, grinding, electrochemical or polishing processes that you can use with precision CNC-machined components. Our parts finishing equipment for the aerospace industry includes machinery for deburring, descaling, coating preparation, edge breaking and many other finishes, all performed quickly and with minimal labor demands. We also provide solutions for industrial parts washing, fluorescent penetrant inspection, passivation, mixing, blending and industrial waste treatment.
New England Sales has the equipment and expertise to help you address your biggest roadblocks and stay ahead of the competition. We help aerospace organizations meet various industry standards and internal specifications. We might implement closed-loop discharge, rinse water systems or equipment that uses eco-friendly cleaning chemistries to meet updated environmental requirements. We can also help you bring outsourced processes in-house to improve supply chain resiliency or quality assurance.
Whatever your goals look like, the capable team at New England Sales understands the unique demands of the field.
New England Sales is the go-to equipment provider for aerospace organizations across the Northeast. We know your operation is unique, so we take an individualized approach. Our skilled team will take the time to learn about your application, goals and needs to find the best fit for your situation. We can conduct on-site visits to see your process and parts. We also provide local support during implementation and beyond.
If you’re dealing with any of the issues we’ve discussed, reach out to us today. Whether you know what you need or aren’t sure where to start, we can help you find the ideal equipment solution to meet your goals.
