Waer Systems: Recent News of Aerospace Successes


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Waer Systems Thrills Satair with Exceptional ROI on Stock Count Project

Satair, a leading aerospace hardware distributor, recently asked Waer Systems to provide a technology solution that would enable the business to perform a full physical stock count across their warehouses. Put simply, Satair wanted to validate that the physical stock on their shelves was in alignment with the levels shown on their WMS Systems.

What did Waer provide? Waer built a new stand-alone module for their AeroScape WMS which ran from the handheld terminals used by the warehouse operatives. The process was simple; the operator scanned a warehouse barcode location, manually counted the stock in that location and entered the total on the scanner. As this information was uploaded to AeroScape, a number of automated system checks were made; the stock trace was cross-referenced to the in house WMS to ascertain if it was the correct location, the correct amount and in addition, whether it was obsolete and if so, ready to be scrapped? If a discrepancy was found then an alert was triggered and the exception task was handled by the operators.

In addition, the scanned stock amount was simultaneously valued and compared against the £ figure on the parent system. If there was a discrepancy, then an automated write off was activated – depending on a preagreed tolerance. Exceeding the tolerance created an alert and this discrepancy exception was then investigated by an in house expert. AeroScape also interfaced to the parent WMS and adjusted the stock levels based on the physical count.

This stock count process was carried out whilst the business was still fully operational with no order fulfilment interrupted or postponed. In addition, the stock count module kept a track of each box within the warehouse which meant that no box was double-counted nor missed during the stock count – even if it had been moved between locations in this random location warehouse holding >500,000 part numbers.

Over 40 million items were counted during the project yet the entire process took just 8 weeks. It was estimated that this represented a 75% improvement over a totally manual approach to the project. Satair was delighted and Pete Durose, deputy manager at the main Satair warehouse said, "I thought I would drop you a mail to thank WAER Systems for their help in delivering what was a fantastic product that enabled us to complete the 100% Stock Count project on time and within budget. I would also like to thank you personally for your hard work and professionalism not only in the development of the module, but throughout the entire project. I can honestly say that without WAER, we would not have achieved our target."

So what was the outcome? First, a totally accurate physical stock record within the in-house IT system. Secondly, all obsolescent stock was removed from the systems and scrapped from the stores and lastly, Satair had a clean data set to use in their forthcoming SAP upgrade.

Dave Roberts, the Waer Systems Operations Director who ran the project said, "We are delighted at the way this project went. The solution we built is ideal for handling the arduous task of a total physical stock count and we believe that the approach saves thousands of man hours for our customers."

If you would like to find out more about the AeroScape stock count module or any other inventory collaboration solution then contact David Snelson on 00 44 1903 768 036 or dsnelson@waersystems.com.

Waer Systems Launch Aerospace Fastener E-Commerce Solution

Waer Systems recently added an e-commerce portal to their product stable. Linked to a customer’s website, the e-commerce solution gives the capability for distributors and manufacturers alike to take orders online. There is also a part search capability that lists availability and price.

The Webstore allows customers to select the items they require, check whether they are in stock, specify their delivery requirements and make a credit card payment. This means that orders can be handled without the need for a call to sales. Consequently, the customer can order any time and at their own convenience. The cost of the sales transaction is also dramatically reduced benefiting the distributor and ultimately their customer.

Waer Systems’ Technical Director, Dave Roberts commented; "The project was an excellent use of current technology that allowed us to produce a low cost, effective e-commerce solution that was deployed in just six weeks. The return on investment was almost instant for our client."

For more information on our e-commerce Webstore, simply contact your local Waer Systems sales office, complete the short online form or send e-mail to info@waersystems.com.

Korean Air is first to use AeroScape in Asia

After evaluating Satair Hardware Group's (SHG) direct line feed (DLF) capabilities - which employ Waer Systems' technology - Korean Aerospace Industries selected SHG to manage a package of parts to its assembly facility at Busan in the south of the country.

SHG is supplying its own personnel to oversee the supply process at the forward stocking location and is using Waer Systems' AeroScape replenishment management software to manage replenishment and tracking.

The agreement, which started in December 2004, is for the supply of a wide range of approved parts and materials over a four-year period from many US and European manufacturers. It is also the first installation of Waer Systems' AeroScape WMS solution in Southeast Asia.

For more details on this AeroScape installation or how Waer Systems can create a solution to meet your or your customers' VMI, DLF or DDSN needs, simply contact your local Waer Systems sales office, complete the short online form or send e-mail to info@waersystems.com.

Waer Systems provide technology for Satair DLF at Westland Transmissions Limited

The Westland Group (the UK arm of Agusta Westland, the world's second-largest helicopter manufacturer) has a three-year Direct Line Feed (DLF) contract with Satair Hardware Group (SHG) covering the delivery of over 4000 part numbers into 4500 bins on the Lynx and EH101 assembly lines.

Due to the success of this project, which also uses technologies supported by Waer Systems to manage and replenish parts and materials, SHG entered into a separate three-year DLF agreement in September with sister company Westland Transmissions.

The contract covers the delivery of approximately 2000 hardware items, which are either made up into kits or delivered direct to bins on the transmission assembly, maintenance and repair lines. The Westland Transmission DLF is facilitated by Waer Systems' proven supply chain management system.

Westland Transmissions is a first-tier supplier with unique experience of designing, developing, manufacturing and supporting all types of helicopter and aeroengine applications in both the civil and military markets. Their principal products are main, accessory, intermediate and tail rotor gearboxes; driveshafts; rotor heads; and pitch controls.

Waer Systems hosts a UK golf classic

The world famous Sunningdale Golf Club hosted the inaugural Waer Systems Golf Day as part of the UK Aircraft Golfing Society (AGS) Fixture List for 2004.

The objectives of the AGS are to promote contact, communication and friendship between executives in the Aircraft and Defence industries, by members and their guests playing golf together on the most beautiful and well known courses in the UK.

The AGS also has charitable aims, with proceeds from money raised going to nationally recognized charities chosen by the captain and the members.

The Waer Systems Golf Day was very well attended with over 75 players who enjoyed the privilege of playing both the New and Old courses at this fantastic venue. The weather stayed fine and a memorable day was had by all.

For more details on the event and the AGS, visit http://www.aircraftgolfingsociety.com.

Waer Systems establishes office in France

In order to better facilitate our efforts with our clients and partners located in France, we have recently opened an office here.

We fully expect this to help us provide even more hands-on, more local support to our customers and partners in France and to further bolster our growing network on the Continent. It will also help us more quickly roll out our soon-to-be-available AeroScape suite of VMI and WMS enabling software solutions - due to officially launch at Farnborough this Summer.

Our Waer Systems France office is located at 27 Av Etienne Audibert, BP 30169, Senlis Cedex, 60305, France.

For more details, please send e-mail to: infoeurope@waersystems.com

UK - Airbus
Manufacturer Of World's Largest Wing Relies On Waer Systems

"With a nearly 80 meter wingspan," says Will Scott, Worldwide Managing Director of Waer Systems, "there is nothing small about the Airbus A380. And this holds true for the sheer number of components that need to arrive at the right time and place as well as the number of people who need to have visibility for all of these transactions." While Will is certainly pleased that his company's technologies and processes were utilized for the parts replenishment system, he seems just as pleased with the plane itself. Will continues, "Very soon we will all be able to look up and see the A380 in the sky. It will be a day to remember."

Waer Systems WaerLinx software was recently upgraded to integrate with the Airbus CSC-managed IT infrastructure, as well as made compatible with Handheld Products Dolphin^® 7400RF wireless LAN mobile computers and Zebra Technologies wireless bar code label printers, specifically the 105SL.

"The benefits are enormous," explains Scott. "The operators can now transmit data and organize replenishment even more quickly. This assures greater visibility, less risk of shortages and decreased overall inventory."

Airbus has been utilizing Waer Systems WaerLinx technology for its A380 since September 2002, and has relied on Waer Systems for process design and technologies for other aircraft production since 1997. Says Scott, "The upgrades weve been able to offer here, especially those that accommodate Airbus security issues, are a significant sign of confidence from the manufacturer of the worlds largest passenger aircraft."

For a copy of the full story and more information on our relationship with Airbus, contact us.

Europe - BAE Systems
Waer Systems helps BAE deliver greater 'visibility' and 'traceability.'

"Change of this magnitude is never easy," says John Champion, Group Commodity Manager, Airbus UK. "Success depends on effective communication of the vision and having the right people with the right tools to execute the vision."

The challenge? BAE Systems, manufacturer of critical components for aerospace programs, was under pressure from Airbus, the Civil Aviation Authority, and its many fastener suppliers to improve traceability and visibility of fastener usage.

Furthermore, there were historically a high number of stockouts and associated costs, which resulted in increased management pressure to avoid any increased costs or trade-off visibility for speed of component delivery.

The goal? To improve the management, storage, distribution and usage of the fasteners needed for the Airbus 320, 330, and 340 programs - as well as reduce overall costs.

BAE turned to Waer Systems, who helped them design and implement new processes for parts flow and a 'pull' warehouse management system to help handle the more than 250,000 transactions including more than 7,500 parts from 70 suppliers.

Morale and confidence reached an all-time high.

Additionally, the project team was able to extend their operation to support manufacture of the larger A340-600.

And we don't want to forget to mention the Chairman's Bronze Award for innovation that BAE's team received for their efforts.

For a copy of the Case History, contact us.

France - EADS Socata and Satair
Prediction of Component Usage Critical to Success.

At the heart of a Direct Line Feed (DLF) system utilized by Satair Hardware Group (SHG) for the timely supply of more than 3,000 parts to the EADS Socata aircraft assembly facility in Tarbes, France, you will find Waer System's thinking and products.

SHG - which manages the procurement, kitting and delivery of the needed parts - required a portable and intuitive system to track, analyze patterns, and help predict parts usages so the correct items can be bagged and transported from Senlis (near Paris) to Tarbes (near Pau).

Says John Yates, Waer Systems' Director of Operations/Europe, "We helped them design the process as well as implement the software and the hand-held technologies to provide optimal ease and system flexibility. The ability to track and predict usage was a critical component to the process since the production needs waver so dramatically."

"The Waer concept is really impressive," declares Daniel Poiret, Managing Director of SatAir SAS (SHG's French arm). He explains that Waer System's solution can "cope with multiple suppliers and substantial quantities of different parts, and can easily adjust to inventory according to usage."

USA - GE Supply
GE Supply Forges Alliance With Waer Systems To Provide Logistics Services

GE Supply partnered with Waer Systems to provide product sourcing/distribution services and inventory logistics management for both industrial and aerospace applications. The resulting company, named GE Supply Logistics, is based in Dallas, Texas and employs over 100 people in 35 locations across the country.

This alliance allows the GE Supply Logistic's team to deliver world-class programs for their customers' outsourcing, kitting and 3PL requirements.

"They supply the logistics services and we supply the replenishment management technologies," says Will Scott, Managing Director of Waer Systems. "Together we designed a process that can bring extremely lean inventories and tighter controls to the customers' warehouse management efforts."

For more on GE Supply Logistics, contact us or visit GE Supply Logistic's website.

UK - Westland and SHG
5,000 bins. 3,000 part numbers. 40 helicopters. 5 countries. 0 inventory allowed.

The Westland Helicopter division of Agusta Westland, the world's second largest helicopter manufacturer, and Satair Hardware Group (SHG), Europe's largest distributor of aerospace fasteners, have implemented a Direct Line Feed (DLF) system using Waer Systems' software and hardware. The DLF system manages the supply of fasteners used in the production of 40 Lynx and EH101 helicopters designated for Denmark, Portugal, Oman, Malaysia and Thailand.

Chas Oldfield, Waer Systems' Senior Supply Chain Analyst/Europe, explains the process, "There is no central parts store at the Westland production facility. The system operator scans the bins that are soon to require replenishment and the kits arrive as needed, including all the component parts of course."

Waer Systems worked with Kim Noyce, Contracts Manager of SHG as well as Westland to help design the process, keeping in mind a need for minimal human involvement and maximum visibility throughout the process. Explains Oldfield, "All the components must be kitted together appropriately and delivered on time in order to assure that production deadlines are met. While the sheer number of bins and part numbers might seem daunting the solution we created makes this a simple matter of scan and monitor."

For a copy of the e-newsletter including the complete story or more information on how we can help implement your complicated kitting processes, contact us.

USA - Zethcon
Leading Provider of Multi-Channel Distribution Software Partners With Waer Systems To "Add Another Tier"

For more than 30 years Park Ridge, Illinois-based Zethcon Corporation has been providing arguably the world's leading multi-channel distribution software. To increase its ability to meet the growing needs of US customers, Zethcon has formed a partnership with Waer Systems.

"Our products primarily address 3PL requirements," says Christopher Oeschel, Zethcon's President and CEO. He explains that the partnership with Waer Systems "adds more potential because it will bring in an additional tier of distributors and 3PL customers."

The partnership combines Zethcon's industrial strength Supply Chain Management (SCM) solutions with Waer Systems' world-class Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) and Direct Line Feed (DLF) systems and solutions - all to provide a more robust and comprehensive solution to the US market.

UK-Airbus
Airbus Excellence Award For Waer Systems

Waer Systems has won a prestigious award for its contribution to improving Airbus UK's business performance at its Filton assembly facility.

Waer Systems was one of only two external suppliers to collect an Airbus UK Award for Excellence at a ceremony held in Bristol during the third week of April, 2002. Says Toby Summerfield, operations manager at Airbus Filton. "The team's success has enabled Filton to become the aerospace industry benchmark with regard to parts supply and stockholding." During the six months previous to receiving the award, the supply of fasteners to the assembly lines has been, according to Airbus, "almost faultless."

Waer's supply chain product WaerLinx^TM is installed at both the Airbus wing assembly plants at Broughton, north Wales and Filton, near Bristol, and since 1997 has saved the company over $16 million through reductions in stock; fastener usage; in stores process times; and a huge reduction in replenishment shortages. It will also play an important role in the management of the fastener supply chain to the imminent A380 build program.