The invisible global army

Priority Freight works around the clock to keep supply chains moving
Priority Freight works around the clock to keep supply chains moving

Time-critical logistics specialists, Priority Freight works around the clock to keep the supply chain moving, transporting even the smallest of parts around the globe, so that engineers can assemble the multitude of parts to produce aircraft.

 

How many parts are in the Boeing 737? As incredible as it may seem, the answer is 367,000 parts. The number of components varies by plane, but what’s consistent in aircraft manufacturing is the invisible global army making it possible.

Hundreds of suppliers are required to deliver the parts and staff work around the clock five days a week to build the planes. Needless to say, these components aren’t like Kinder Egg toys that slot together with an instruction manual the size of a postage stamp – they’re high value goods that require a huge amount of technical expertise to handle.

So, who are these people working behind the scenes? Manufacturers typically keep about a day’s worth of stock on hand, in addition to four hours of emergency production line stop parts. The rest relies on the ‘just in time’ supply chain, which sees parts delivered daily as they’re needed. These include everything from the materials (like steel) and widgets, through to specific flight-critical parts like navigation and communication systems as well as traffic collision avoidance systems (TCAS).

But what happens when the supply chain breaks and emergency transport is required? Such high-value, critical components aren’t entrusted to the cheapest local courier. That’s where a time-critical logistics partner comes into play. Indeed, aerospace is such a specialised area of logistics that the required expertise is higher than many other industries and not every forwarder, broker or carrier is up to the task. Multiple accreditations exist to demonstrate a courier’s ability.

Working around the clock

Priority Freight, a leading time-critical logistics specialist, works around the clock to keep supply chains moving. Andrew Austin, operations director at Priority Freight, explains: “The more complex a client’s needs, the more important clear processes and total reliability become. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations demonstrate a company’s high-level capabilities, assuring quality and efficiency, and give clients even more confidence in their ability to deliver.

“The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is a trade association for airlines (290 are currently members) and membership proves that a courier has the competence to build close relationships with the world’s leading airlines. The Air Charter Association (ACA) demonstrates the ability to provide specialised air charter services, and the Association promotes the highest standards of professionalism and ethics within the aviation industry. The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) offers a benchmark for compliance.”

Andrew Austin, operations director at Priority Freight

There are others, like the British International Freight Association (BIFA) and the World Cargo Alliance (WCA), and they all demonstrate the high bar required for a company like Priority Freight to be part of an aircraft’s supply chain and why the parts aren’t just taken to the local Post Office.

The immediate question for many people is, “Why use the supply chain instead of keeping everything on hand?” Cynics may instantly assume the sole reason is cost, but while there are undeniable financial benefits of not paying to store significant levels of stock in a warehouse, the just in time supply chain actually has benefits that filter down. Chiefly, it reduces time within the production system as well as the response times from suppliers and to customers.

That combines to a more efficient, streamlined service that’s also cheaper than it otherwise would be. The supply chain is additionally an ongoing testimonial to the power of the interconnected world. Parts used in an aircraft built in America aren’t exclusively sourced from America, nor are components of a German car made solely in Germany. Never has the world been as small as it is today.

“Of course, borders and customs need to be considered,” Austin continues. “Within the EU it’s possible to get anywhere by road as every country is joined by land, and the movement of goods is facilitated by the frictionless nature of the Union. But that is not to suggest going to countries beyond the EU is prohibitively onerous; a number of couriers have Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status, which indicates a quality standard among logistics partners. AEO status enhances security of the international supply chain and results in a simplified (and thus faster) customs process. This in turn makes it possible to make quicker deliveries, fast-track shipments, minimise delays and even receive priority treatment if a shipment is selected for inspection. This cooperation between nations makes global transportation not just feasible, but efficient and preferable.”

When people consider an aircraft, we often think of the engine, wings and fuselage – the obvious things our eyes see, in other words. But beyond those obvious parts are the trays, door locks, light bulbs, controls, wheels, brakes and fuel tanks. Beneath the carpet and behind the wall panels is a vast array of hidden elements that make it possible for the plane to fly.

And behind all of that is an invisible network of time-critical logistics specialists transporting even the smallest of parts around the globe, so the aircraft engineers can work around the clock assembling hundreds of thousands of components to produce the planes.

www.prorityfreight.com

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