Orders for our flagship product, the “TOVER” aircraft ground support equipment (GSE), have increased more than tenfold this fiscal year compared to previous years. How is this increase in orders related to trends in the aircraft market?
Tow bar before delivery, tow bar towing an aircraft
※A tow bar is a piece of equipment used in connection with a towing car to move an aircraft through an airport without power.
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Aircraft market on the road to recovery
The following is an overview of our efforts, based on information obtained at an aircraft-related seminar we attended this summer.
The seminar I attended was hosted by a company that manufactures and sells aircraft and processing equipment, and generally provided the following information on the current status and outlook of the aircraft industry.
・The entry restrictions that were in place for more than two and a half years have been eased, and the aircraft market has recovered to about 2019, before the Corona disaster.
・The number of paid passengers will steadily increase, cargo weight will triple, and the international market will recover.
・Aircraft maintenance and capital investment is also becoming more aggressive and demand is increasing.
Meanwhile, the government has decided on the “Defense Force Development Plan” and is moving to strengthen defense capabilities.
In order to solidify this ground, our company, which handles “Ground Support Equipment (GSE) for Aircraft,” is receiving an increasing number of requests for new production and maintenance of equipment.
After the Corona Disaster, Future Aircraft Market Challenges
One of the seminars we attended, DMG Mori Seiki's “DMG MORI Technology Friday,” focused on “The Latest Trends in the Aircraft Industry” and “Solutions for Aircraft Parts Machining. Here are some of them.
・The global aircraft market is booming, and is expected to continue to grow steadily through 2030.
・According to Boeing/Airbus, orders for aircraft are steady, and many new aircraft are planned for delivery in the future.
・The number of aircraft delivered in 2022 is 1,141, and the current order backlog is 11,528, indicating that the aircraft market has even greater demand.
While this demand for the aircraft industry is growing, they are facing some challenges in the supply chain.
【Challenges】
・Delays in delivery due to the Corona disaster
・Exchange rate and price fluctuation risk
・Geopolitical risks
・Retirement of skilled workers and shortage of young engineers
・Insufficient production technology and manufacturing capacity
・Insufficient understanding of quality control in accordance with JIS Q 9100 by new entrants
Among these issues, one possible solution that MHI can address is the “shortage of parts supply capacity during the period of recovery from the aircraft market slump.
This issue is an important factor for the future development of the aircraft industry, and we are proactively addressing it. Specific initiatives are described below.
Our Approach (1) Shortening production speed by reviewing the manufacturing process
In order to improve our production engineering and manufacturing capabilities, we need to increase production speed.
We have improved our manufacturing processes to increase efficiency when receiving large orders for towbars.
One specific example is a review of material selection, machining, and heat treatment processes by changing machining tools. We succeeded in reducing machining time by about 30% for a single product.
Our Approach (2) Inheritance of Skilled Techniques
To ensure the smooth transfer of the know-how of skilled workers, we have implemented a “Meister System” at our company.
This system recognizes those who possess outstanding techniques and skills and enthusiasm for instruction and training, and is intended for employees who continue to work after retirement.
Through this program, we are strengthening the skills of young engineers.
In addition, we actively recruit not only graduates from universities and technical schools, but also mid-career hires.
Through these measures, we are working to protect the skills of our skilled workers and strengthen our young technicians to meet the challenges they face.
Our Approach (3) Thorough Quality Control
For companies that design, manufacture, and develop products in the aerospace and defense fields, we have acquired and operate a quality management system, JIS Q9100, to improve safety and reliability.
This certification certifies from a third-party organization that the company has a system in place to maintain the functions required for quality in the aerospace and defense sector and to provide products and services of a certain quality with a high level of safety.
Since acquiring JIS Q9100 in 2009, we have been thoroughly implementing quality control based on the regulations.
Our Approach (4) New Product Development
We are constantly examining the application of our technology for our main product, the tow bar, and our aircraft ground support equipment (GSE), the dolly and maintenance work platform, to other products.
We have received inquiries such as, “Can't the towbar technology be used for towing flying cars and rolling stock?” We are actively entering new fields.
Here are some examples of products we have manufactured using our technology.
・Dolly, an ultrasmall lunar module
・Satellite overturn device
・Work platform for trailer
※A dolly is something that assembles, stores, and moves objects
Summary
Based on the convergence of the new Corona virus, the aircraft market has moved in a big way, and we have seen an increase in orders for aircraft ground support equipment (GSE) other than towbars, such as “jacking systems,” “engine stands,” “maintenance work stands” and “wheel maintenance.
The aerospace and defense sectors will become increasingly important in the future. As a company that handles products that solidify the foundation of the aerospace and defense industry, we are committed to the development of the aerospace industry by facing and solving various problems.