Horberg Industries Participates in Transformative Airbus Day & ACM Connecticut Events

November 4, 2024

Horberg Industries was proud to participate in “Airbus Day in Connecticut: Preparing the Future Supply Chain,” a landmarkindustry event held on Wednesday, October 30th, in Hartford. This strategic gathering, hosted by Airbus Americas in partnership with the State of Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), Office of Manufacturing, Aerospace Components Manufacturers (ACM), and the U.S. Commercial Service, provided invaluable insights into Airbus’s diverse operations across commercial, helicopter, and space & defense sectors.

Industry Growth and Innovation

The event highlighted remarkable growth projections in aviation, with the market expected to double within the next decade. Nicolas Lemoine, VP of Procurement for Airbus Americas, emphasized critical industry priorities:

• Unwavering commitment to safety and quality
• Robust compliance frameworks
• Operational excellence focusing on reliability and predictability
• Supply chain resilience against geopolitical risks
• Proactive workforce engagement
• Commitment to decarbonization initiatives

Future of Aerospace Manufacturing

Dr. Michael Winter from RTS delivered compelling insights into the industry’s trajectory:

• Commercial fleet expansion projected to double in the next 20 years
• Focus on sustainable aviation solutions, including SAF and hybrid engines
• Advanced materials development emphasizing:
  • Enhanced strength and stiffness with reduced weight
  • Improved fatigue and corrosion resistance
  • Innovative ceramic matrix composites

Key Supply Chain Initiatives

The event underscored essential factors for successful engagement with Airbus:

• Cybersecurity compliance requirements
• Distinctive value propositions
• Sustainability commitments
• Automation and lean manufacturing implementation
• Clear understanding of supply chain tier positioning
• Product application awareness
• Steadfast safety protocols

The gathering provided an excellent opportunity for collaboration with industry partners and customers. Special thanks to Jessica Taylor at ACM, Joe Marcheschi of Airbus, and Connecticut Chief Manufacturing Officer Paul Lavoie for their contributions to this successful event.

For more information about Horberg Industries’ aerospace capabilities and partnerships, please contact rgordon@horberg.com.