Designing and implementation a new supply chain paradigm for airplane development

Abstract

The 787 program is the latest airplane development program in Boeing Commercial Airplanes. In this program, many new business processes, including a new supply chain structure will be implemented. Based on my six-month internship in Boeing, this thesis will address two critical supply chain issues that the 787 program currently faces and offer recommendations. The two issues are as follows: * Boeing currently plays a very active role in managing the ordering and scheduling protocols for drop-shipped components. Drop-shipped components are parts that are ordered by Boeing but to be delivered to another supplier or subcontractors for installation and assembly. Current processes will not be adequate to handle the large amount of drop-shipped components in the 787 program. It is recommended that Boeing sets up a supplier portal to manage the interactions with and between partners. * Current non-compliance management processes for drop-shipped components are not efficient enough for the 787 program. To solve this problem, it is recommended that Boeing devotes dedicated resources to work with individual structural partners on their sites to facilitate managing the non-conformance processes.