Ministry of Defence
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MoD signs up to SC21 Programme

MoD signs up to SC21 Programme

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE News Release (163/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 15 July 2008

The Ministry of Defence has today accepted an invitation from the Society for British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) to join its 'Twenty First Century Supply Chains' or 'SC21' programme. The signing ceremony, which took place at the Farnborough International Air Show, brought the number of companies and organisations signed-up to the SC21 programme to over 370.

SC21 was launched at the Farnborough Air Show in 2006 and was designed to improve the performance of the UK aerospace and defence industry in an increasingly competitive world market. It provides a framework for improving the effectiveness of supply chains and recognises that they need to be dynamic and flexible to keep pace with evolving business and customer needs.

In signing the SC21 members' book, Baroness Taylor, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, said:

"We welcome SBAC's 21st Century Supply Chain programme, which is an excellent response to DIS (Defence Industrial Strategy) and aligns well with our need to promote and influence an effective and competitive supply network. Given this alignment of interests, and encouragement from member companies, we are delighted to accept SBAC's invitation for MoD to become a formal signatory to the programme.''

Russ Armitage, Chairman of SC21, said:

"SC21 has made great strides since it was first launched at the last Farnborough International Airshow in 2006. The participation of the Ministry of Defence is another major step in securing the future of the UK's aerospace and defence industry through a high performance supply chain. We have a great deal of work still to do in order to keep our industry ahead in a very competitive global market, including the drive that we begin at Farnborough this week to secure the participation in SC21 of more companies within the supply chain in this country. However, a short celebration is in order today and we look forward to the MoD being a major partner in our work as we take the project forward."

Ian Godden, Chief Executive of the Society of British Aerospace Companies, said:

"Industry works closely with the Ministry of Defence to ensure that we provide the best possible equipment for our armed forces. This agreement is a natural extension of that co-operation. Both the defence industry and the MoD are continuously making greater efforts to be more efficient in what we do and SC21 is a vital part of that process. We warmly welcome the Ministry into the SC21 fold along with the more than 370 companies who have committed to this crucial programme so far."

Notes to Editors:

1. SC21 is a collaborative programme that presents a set of improvement and relationship principles that have been developed and adopted by a rapidly growing number of businesses in the UK Aerospace and Defence sector. It provides a framework for improving the effectiveness of supply chains with three pillars:

* accreditation;
* development and performance; and
* relationships

2. For more information please visit the website http://www.mod.uk.

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