Global Tooling Systems wins Lockheed Martin Elite Supplier Award

Global Tooling Systems, an Ascent Aerospace company and leading provider of smart assembly tooling, was honoured by Lockheed Martin as a top-performing supplier for 2016, based on wing assembly systems and work stands that Global produced to support the F-35 programme.

Elite Supplier status is awarded to the top 2% of Lockheed Martin’s supply base of 1,400 suppliers and recognises suppliers holding a 98% on-time delivery rating with a 98% quality rating.

Dan Pleshko, vice-president, procurement and supply chain services at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, joined by five representatives from the company’s procurement team, officially presented the certificate and banner. The award was accepted by Al Kaufman, Jerome Palazzolo, Mike Campbell and John Lewis, on behalf of Global’s 300 employees, who were present at the ceremony.

According to Chet Olekszyk, general manager of Global Tooling Systems: “This elite award for our performance during 2016 reflects the dedication of our employees. At every level, our team is committed to providing Lockheed Martin, and all of our customers, with industry-leading technologies and quality.”

Guests of honour at the ceremony were James Jackson, a representative from US Senator Gary Peters’ office; Troy Hudson, a representative from US Congressman Paul Mitchell’s office; and Mark Hackel, County Executive for Macomb County.

Ascent also welcomed representatives from Macomb Regional Procurement Technical Assistance Centre, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and Automation Alley. Following the presentation of the award, all guests were invited on a tour of Ascent’s newly expanded Macomb campus, which is now home to Global Tooling Systems, Ascent Integration – North America, and Brown Aerospace.

After the Elite Supplier award ceremony, visitors from Lockheed Martin, Michigan government and local trade organizations toured the Global Tooling Systems facility and stopped for a photo with an F-35 work stand.