SEAs Authorized Service Provider Program Completes First Round of Certifications

The Supplier Excellence Alliance (SEA) completed its first round of consultant certifications as part of its Authorized Service Provider Program. Authorized Service Providers will initially support implementation of the SEA Lean Enterprise System (LES) within supplier organizations in Connecticut, New York, Florida and Texas. The LES is the standard lean business system adopted by SEA members, the leading OEMs, primes and tier-one suppliers in the aerospace, defense and space industries.

Irvine, CA (PRWEB) September 24, 2005 -- On September 22, the Supplier Excellence Alliance (SEA) completed its first round of consultant certifications as part of its Authorized Service Provider Program. Authorized Service Providers will initially support implementation of the SEA Lean Enterprise System (LES) within supplier organizations in Connecticut, New York, Florida and Texas.

The LES is the standard lean business system adopted by SEA members, the leading OEMs, primes and tier-one suppliers in the aerospace, defense and space industries. This initiative is part of SEAs Supply Chain Conversion Plan to accelerate supplier performance improvements for on-time delivery and quality, while removing cost from the supply chain. Suppliers currently participating in the SEA LES are reporting dramatic improvements.

The SEA Authorized Service Provider Program is a rigorous certification process designed to select and certify only the most highly qualified consultants to deliver SEA LES workshops. Those participating in the initial certifications include independent consultants, consultants working through MEPs (regional Manufacturing Extension Partnership Programs supported by the National Institute of Science and Technology), and supplier development experts from within SEA member companies.

The LES has three separate certification tracks -- Leadership & Culture, Operational Excellence and Workforce Development. Certification candidates must possess at least 10 years of experience in their chosen discipline, and meet additional criteria.

SEA began its national rollout with supplier firms in California and followed with a launch in Connecticut, Florida, New York and Texas. SEA expects to be fully deployed in 22 states by the end of 2006, with implementation reaching as many as 4,000 supplier companies.

Qualified consultants interested in becoming certified in one of the three LES tracks should contact Ms. Mickey Wiebe, Executive Director of SEA by telephone at (949) 476-1144, extension 307, or by email at mickey@seaonline.org.

About the Supplier Excellence Alliance (SEA)
SEA is the non-profit alliance of leading aerospace, defense and space prime contractors whose purpose is to accelerate supply chain performance. SEA membership includes The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Company, United Technologies, Parker Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, Pratt & Whitney, Hamilton Sundstrand, Textron, Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft, and Bombardier.

The industry Conversion Plan deploys a collaborative business system adopted by SEA member companies to help supplier organizations expand their capabilities and gain immediate and sustainable improvements.

To learn more about SEA visit the SEA website at www.seaonline.org.

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