Reliance helps Finmeccanica-Selex win Manufacturer of the Year

Reliance Precision Ltd has worked with Finmeccanica-Selex ES for a considerable number of years with the relationship gaining significant momentum in 2008 when Finmeccanica-Selex ES invited their supply chain to participate in Finmeccanica-Selex ES's Growth Readiness Review (GRR) project. This initiative created an ongoing culture where the sharing of knowledge and skills became standard practice and where a clear understanding of responsibilities and working relationships was evident at all levels. Today, this means Reliance feels confident in requesting changes or offering suggestions and improvements; a situation only made possible through mutual collaboration:

David Sutcliffe, Reliance's Aerospace & Defence Business Manager, explains: "Finmeccanica-Selex ES really do put the time and effort in to work collaboratively with us. They engage early with us and are open to ideas; never dismissing anything without consideration. The various projects have integrated engineering and commercial teams, so we have very good communication between our companies."

Greater agility, efficiency and customer responsiveness

Finmeccanica-Selex ES believes that the supply chain is increasingly seen as the key to success at all levels in industry and is built on the effective exchange of ideas. This aspect was highlighted by the judging panel, who were particularly impressed by the significance of the relationship that had developed over time between Finmeccanica-Selex ES and Reliance. This was in part facilitated by the use of an electronic gateway which encourages the sharing of information and performance, both internally and across functions between supply chain partners. As well as promoting greater agility, efficiency and customer responsiveness, it embraces the whole process, from procurement to delivery.

For Reliance, this continues a well-established pattern in working alongside Finmeccanica-Selex ES and builds on a previous award in which Finmeccanica-Selex ES named Reliance Precision Ltd the "Laser UK Supplier of the Year". The award was presented in recognition of Reliance's achievements for exemplary quality and delivery, value-added engineering, innovation and working relationship. Finmeccanica-Selex ES have also supported Reliance in the SC21 business excellence programme, which provides measurable KPIs for quality and delivery. Reliance's SC21 silver award re-affirms positive results from a successful supply chain approach.

Reliance's Managing Director, Andrew Wright, contends that going beyond the immediate Reliance/ Finmeccanica-Selex ES relationship has resulted in Selex promoting Reliance to a wider range of companies in their supply chain, encouraging a more extensive partnering culture. Andrew is enthusiastic about Reliance's contribution to the Finmeccanica-Selex ES award, commenting:

"This is a superb effort and many thanks to everyone that has been involved at any stage of Finmeccanica-Selex ES parts procurement and manufacture. We continue to cement our long-term business relationships and this gives a strong first impression to new customers."

To learn more about Reliance's relationship with Finmeccanica-Selex ES please visit www.reliance.co.uk.