Fort Worth, TX – February 22, 2011 – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company has announced that its Lafayette, Louisiana facility has successfully achieved AS9100 Implementation and Certification.
This certification confirms that the Lafayette quality management system (QMS) is certified for manufacturing composite panels and allows Lafayette to operate as an extension of the Bell Helicopter’s Fort Worth headquarters.
“Achieving this certification is a significant accomplishment for our Lafayette facility,” said Danny Maldonado, Bell Helicopter senior vice president customer support and chief services officer. “It is proof of our commitment to provide Bell Helicopter customers with the highest quality products and services using the most stringent production standards.”
The Louisiana operation, formerly Acadian Composites and a former division of Aeronautical Accessories, was integrated into Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. in January 2011.
As a part of the integration, Bell Helicopter conducted an audit and evaluation of the composites plant’s quality system in 2010. In order to extend Bell Helicopter’s production certificate to the Lafayette location, the quality system had to meet the same requirements as other Bell Helicopter facilities.
“It normally takes a company more than a year to become certified to AS9100, yet the composites plant completed the certification in less than 60 days,” said John Friedrichs, quality director, Aeronautical Accessories. “A team of experienced quality system experts were challenged to implement the program on a very aggressive schedule. Through hard work and collaboration, Lafayette established a premier QMS and certification to AS9100 was achieved in record time.”
The Bell Helicopter facility in Lafayette, Louisiana is an FAA approved manufacturer of composite panels and related services. The plant manufactures products in accordance with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) data and provides panel overhaul and repair services. "
For more information on composite panels, contact the Lafayette, Louisiana sales team at 337-237-6070, [email protected] , or visit www.aero-access.com.
About Aeronautical Accessories
Aeronautical Accessories is a Bell Helicopter/Textron Inc., company. The organization designs, manufactures, warehouses, and distributes the most advanced helicopter parts and accessories through a worldwide network in over 110 countries. The ISO:9001/AS9100 certified organization has been distributing innovative, quality rotorcraft products since 1979.
About Bell Helicopter
Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft. Globally recognized for world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell's global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries. More information is available at www.bellhelicopter.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron in known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.
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