Business as usual...or a fresh start?

Civil Aerospace in the 21st Century: Business as usual...or a fresh start? (1.45mb)

In 2005, we stimulated a debate with our clients by publishing our thoughts on the future of the defence industry. The reaction was overwhelmingly enthusiastic and the major issues that we identified have certainly become more widely discussed. Some — those addressing transatlantic co-operation, for example — have been front page news in the international press.

In this paper, we take a closer look at civil aerospace. We discuss the factors that shaped the industry since its pioneering early days and assess the impact of the traumatic events at the end of the 20th century.

We believe it timely to ask whether the civil aerospace industry is now, as many believe, simply returning to normal. Or is it, in fact, undergoing what we may regard in future as a fundamental, lasting change?

Whilst some forecast the resumption of growth and hint at a return to business as usual, we think that there are four reasons why we will in fact see something quite different. A fresh start. This holds important implications for contractors and we have identified five issues that can be interpreted as a template for value creation in future:

• Managing a diverse customer base
• Investing in a changing mix of capabilities
• Managing supplier risk throughout the lifecycle
• Achieving best value in manufacturing
• Managing a transnational organisation

We look forward to debating these issues with you. And, as ever, to developing ideas and solutions with you … not just helping you implement what you have already decided to do.