Boeing has awarded contracts totaling nearly US$1.85 million to Australian companies Lovitt Technologies Australia and Ferra Engineering to manufacture parts and assemblies for the P-8A Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

“Boeing continues to capture opportunities for value and growth through partnering with Australian suppliers,” said Ian Thomas, president of Boeing Australia & South Pacific. “Over the past four years, we have awarded more than US$230 million in contracts for Australian industry.”

Lovitt Technologies Australia, based in Melbourne, and Ferra Engineering, based in Brisbane, were identified by Boeing’s Office of Australian Industry Capability (OAIC), part of the Defence Materiel Organisation’s Global Supply Chain Program. Both companies have a number of existing contracts with Boeing.

“We’re pleased that our engagement with the OAIC has allowed us to gain traction into several Boeing defence programs, and P-8 is the latest one of these,” said Marcus Ramsay, managing director for Lovitt Technologies. “This work package will give us the opportunity to perform and increase our work statement on this program.”

Lovitt Technologies will manufacture mission systems parts and assembly fabrications for the P-8 aircraft. The company also supplies parts for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet programs.

Ferra Engineering will supply internal and external airframe parts and assemblies to support various P-8 flight and mission systems. The company was named Boeing’s International Supplier of the Year in 2011. The firm also manufactures spare parts for Boeing Commercial Aviation Services and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet program.

“Over the past four years, Ferra has worked very closely with the OAIC on training and development, which has enabled us to become more competitive,” said Mark Scherrer, managing director for Ferra Engineering. “With continued demonstrated performance, we expect our business to continue to rapidly expand. Through the support of the OAIC, a truly global company like Ferra has been able to build long-term sustainable business with a first-choice partner like The Boeing Company.”

The OAIC provides Australian small and medium enterprises with mentoring and training in areas such as Lean manufacturing, quality management systems, specialised manufacturing and machining skills, and business management. Additionally, the OAIC provides marketing assistance by helping match the needs of Boeing and its key suppliers with the capabilities of Australian industry and offering bid opportunities.

Boeing press release