Pratt & Whitney Spotlight & Testimonial– 15 April 2022
ABOUT PRATT & WHITNEY
My name is Rob Griffiths, and I am the vice president, Quality, for Pratt & Whitney.
As you may know, Pratt & Whitney, a Raytheon Technologies company (NYSE:RTX), is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units.
We believe that powered flight has transformed and will continue to transform the world. We build and service the world’s most advanced and unrelenting aircraft engines that allow us to turn possibilities into realities for our customers.
We are committed to being the world-class provider of dependable engines, propulsion systems, parts and services that meet customer expectations. Quality, compliance to requirements and continuous improvement are key in all that we do.
Sustainable aviation is essential—and for Pratt & Whitney, it’s foundational. We recognize the increased urgency to develop transformative technologies for a thriving planet. And we know a more sustainable tomorrow starts with working smarter, cleaner and greener today. Our strategy focuses on advancing smarter aircraft propulsion technologies, enabling aviation’s transition toward cleaner fuels, and protecting the environment through greener and more efficient manufacturing and operations.
It’s about more than transporting people reliably to their destinations. It’s about more than providing the care and intelligence to service aircraft engines expertly. It’s about innovating and engineering a new and exciting future for aviation.
To learn more visit www.prattwhitney.com.
How long haS PRATT & WHITNEY been involved / working with the AESQ?
Pratt & Whitney is a proud founding member company of AESQ and has been instrumental in driving the collaboration that resulted in a common quality standard for aerospace engine suppliers, AS13100. Our company members are a passionate group with an unrelenting focus on elevating quality in our industry and in driving a defect prevention mindset. In forming AESQ in 2012, Pratt & Whitney, along with our peer engine manufacturers, saw the benefit in coming together and collaborating on a set of common standards to harmonize and simplify quality requirements for suppliers.
What are the benefits or greatest value that AESQ brings to you?
Offering our suppliers, many of whom provide product to multiple OEMs, a unified voice with common terms and clear requirements is bringing value to our industry. Suppliers have historically observed that OEMs flow different requirements that are complex and are expressed in different ways, which could contribute to a failure to meet expectations as reflected in product nonconformances and escapes. The unified voice from the OEMs is amplifying the unwavering criticality of safety and quality for our industry. This collaboration, laser focused on product and service quality, is helping to shift the culture from defect detection to defect prevention through design producibility- a transformational shift for our industry.
WHAT AESQ TOOLS AND COMMUNICATIONS DOES PRATT & WHITNEY FIND THE MOST USEFUL?
The AESQ has done a nice job of providing many methods and forums for communicating in order to reach a wide variety of organizations. The AESQ website offers a wealth of information about standards, training, reference manuals, testimonials, and case studies, and we consider it indispensable for any organization deploying AS13100. Supplier forums are another great communication platform that provide an interactive way for organizations to engage for deeper understanding and builds in the opportunity to have questions answered by subject matter experts.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL NON-MEMBERS ABOUT AESQ TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO “GET INVOLVED”?
There is not a group of professionals that is more dedicated to shifting the culture of quality. Every member has a critical role within their companies, and yet continues to dedicate their time to elevate the whole industry. The AESQ provides a platform for inclusion of both QEMs and suppliers, all working to a common goal. Pratt & Whitney has had dozens of quality and engineering professionals engaged from the writing of standards and technical reference manuals to leading communities of practice, which support professionals through open forums and discussion threads providing guidance as organizations work through deployment of AS13100. Our involvement has been valuable for Pratt & Whitney by having a voice in guiding our industry’s transformation.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO WITH AESQ?
The publication of AS13100 incorporated several defect prevention processes that needed strengthening such as Human Factors, Sub-tier Management and Design for Producibility. As we look into the future, Pratt & Whitney, along with AESQ, will be supporting suppliers to mature proficiency in these areas which are critical to achieving the goal of zero defects.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR DEPLOYMENT OF AS13100?
Pratt & Whitney is integrating AS13100 into our quality requirements for suppliers, ASQR-01, which is enabling us to reduce both the number of pages and the number of requirements. We started communicating last year and continue to host open web-based events, so our suppliers know what is coming and are ready for Dec 31, 2022, which is when AS13100 compliance is required. Additionally, OEM Supplier Quality Assurance Representatives (SQARS) and other supplier facing personnel are being trained on AS13100 and how the standard is an enabler in the pursuit of zero defects and safety. All suppliers should be assessing their quality systems and addressing any gaps now to be ready. Additionally, not only is the focus on supplier compliance to AS13100, but we have also looked at our internal Pratt & Whitney Quality Management System (QMS) to see if it had any gaps to AS13100. We utilized the RM13009 Gap Assessment Tool and found a couple of great opportunities, such as human factors, to improve our internal quality documentation and signature.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE OR INSPIRING MOMENT FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH A PAST AESQ EVENT OR ACTIVITY?
Supplier forums have been enlightening for the Pratt & Whitney professionals since they were started several years ago. These events are inspiring not only because they provide direct interaction with our suppliers but also with customers. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, supplier forums were held in person, and rotated location to represent our global supply base. Lisa Claveloux, Pratt & Whitney voting member, has attended many supplier forums and recalls the event held in Toulouse, France in 2019 as a particular highlight. The Toulouse forum was so memorable because Airbus representatives attended the event and arranged for participants to tour the impressive final assembly line of the A380, bringing suppliers of parts and components together to see the final product. Everyone was inspired and left that forum energized to continue improving.
Today, travel restrictions are opening, and Pratt & Whitney is increasing its onsite supplier presence. During recent engagements, suppliers have communicated acknowledgement of AS13100 and how their gap assessment plans are being worked in parallel with current continuous improvement activities. While communication and acknowledgement are important, supply chain success will be greatly enhanced with Pratt & Whitney leading the way in knowledge and execution.
Pete Teti, Pratt & Whitney Quality Engineering Fellow, recalls the excellent experience participating on several of the writing teams where he was able to contribute along with other member companies with representatives from around the globe. This experience was replicated by several other Pratt & Whitney employees helping to draft and finalize the AESQ initial set of specifications, reference manuals, training programs, and finally AS13100. It is comforting to know that the quality professionals of Pratt & Whitney directly helped to bring AESQ where it is today, a very respected organization that seeks to help make its supply base the strongest it can be. That benefits so many people who depend on our products each and every day.
AESQ Information:
Website: https://aesq.sae-itc.com/
Email: info@aesq.sae-itc.org