Boeing increases Support for Australian Industry with New Industrial Participation Office

Boeing, through its Integrated Defense Systems Industrial Participation organization, has opened a new office in Seattle, Wash., to help increase business opportunities for Australian companies.

The Office of Australian Industry Capability (OAIC) at Boeing will work closely with the Australian Department of Defence and Australian industry to identify bid opportunities for Australian aerospace companies within Boeing's major commercial and defence programs, as well as key supplier partners.

"The establishment of the OAIC is in direct response to the Commonwealth's new Defence and Industry policy statement," said Joel Gray, Australia/New Zealand Industrial Participation manager for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "We expect the OAIC to develop opportunities for Australian industry as well as bring value to our global customers. We are pleased to continue our commitment to Australia and its industry by being the first U.S. prime contractor to establish such an office."

A series of industry roundtables will start the first week of December in Brisbane and Melbourne, with future meetings scheduled throughout the country next year. Initial focus will be on suppliers whose capabilities have been designated by the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) as export-ready and important to maintaining the through-life-support capability necessary to sustain the Australian Defence Force's aerospace assets.

"In establishing the OAIC, Boeing is the first major international company to formally embrace Australia's new Defence and Industry Policy requirements, which seek to ensure that Australian industry gets the opportunity to compete for work based on a best value for money basis," said Dominic Zaal, director general, Industry Capability Branch of the DMO.

The OAIC will draw upon previous DMO work, coordinating the Australian aerospace industry into a "Team Australia" to address opportunities associated with other major defence acquisitions. The DMO will notify eligible suppliers as the OAIC identifies opportunities. The OAIC, along with the DMO, also will offer various training and mentoring programs, host sector conferences and visit, assess and host select suppliers.

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