With the D328eco™ aircraft, the innovative German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft shapes the future of aviation as groundbreaking, forward-looking platform. Therefore, sustainability is a key topic for the company – not just in the D328eco, but also across the supply chain.
A resilient and sustainable digital supply chain is essential for the complex production ramp-up. In this context, Deutsche Aircraft is pursuing the ambitious goal of 100% paperless, fully digital control of the entire supplier network, with partners who share the values of Deutsche Aircraft.
In order to successfully implement this strategic goal for its global network of almost 90 suppliers in the shortest possible time, Deutsche Aircraft has opted for the SupplyOn collaboration platform which is well established in the manufacturing industry.
SupplyOn as a strategic partner
SupplyOn supports Deutsche Aircraft in digitally managing collaboration processes with suppliers and establishing structured communication. SupplyOn not only offers sophisticated, industry-specific solutions and processes, but also access to a global network of over 140,000 companies, a large proportion of which are dedicated suppliers to the aerospace industry.
SupplyOn also recognizes the responsibility to reduce its impact on the world and is highly committed to the principle that business can and must be a force for good. These are the best prerequisites for Deutsche Aircraft to map its supply chain in a sustainable way and electronically from end to end.
Step by step to a digitized, sustainable supply chain
In the first step on the way to a sustainable supply chain, the focus was on digitizing the tendering phase in order to select competitive and innovative bidders. The comprehensive digitization started with the involvement of the approximately 30 strategically most important suppliers involved in the development and construction of the prototype. These will supply the top 20 components.
In the second step, the final assembly line in Leipzig/Halle will be included in the digitization of the processes. The aim is to expand the group of suppliers until 2026 to almost 90 companies by the time serial production starts.
Fully digitized final assembly — 100% paperless
Following the digitization of the tendering process, Deutsche Aircraft also plans to optimize other processes in the supply chain – first and foremost joint product development. For this purpose, SupplyOn offers Project Management, a structured, template-based development process in which all phases of development can be handled in a structured manner via one central tool.
This way of work is based on the process known in the automotive industry as Advanced Product Quality Planning – in short APQP – which has been tried and tested for many years.
The concession process, which can be used to obtain approval for parts that deviate from the specification, can also be handled efficiently and transparently via SupplyOn.
This is an essential step towards Deutsche Aircraft‘s vision of working with the highest quality suppliers in the long term in order to achieve excellence and sustainability not only in product development but also in the company‘s overall processes.
Our strategic goal is to fully digitize our supply chain. We chose to work with SupplyOn because we know that with this partnership, we can effectively achieve this ambitious goal.
Maximilian Fahr
Director of Supply Chain, Deutsche Aircraft GmbH
About Deutsche Aircraft
Founded on the proud legacy of Dornier and Germany’s high reputation for engineering, quality and innovation, Deutsche Aircraft is the new specialized German aircraft original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
Deutsche Aircraft builds on the legacy and expertise of 328 Support Services GmbH, the type certificate holder for the Dornier 328 aircraft (D328®). Deutsche Aircraft will enable the further development of the D328® platform, leverage future technologies and competencies to produce a more capable, economical and environmentally friendly aircraft and will thus lead the way for the future of aviation in the transition to zero-emission flight.
In collaboration with the German government, Deutsche Aircraft is leading the way to a new era of clean aviation and addressing the need to protect our planet to inspire future generations to fly in a way that is greener, safer and more efficient.
