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Aerospace company Boeing Defence Australia has partnered with the Indigenous Defence Consortium (IDC) to further advance the inclusion of Indigenous-owned businesses as meaningful participants in its supply chain.
Vice president and managing director of Boeing Defence Australia Ken Shaw said the partnership was a deliberate effort to broaden Boeing's Indigenous supply network in Australia.
"Boeing Defence Australia is an important contributor to the growth of Australia’s Indigenous community and business sector. Through strategic partnerships such as this, we can strengthen links with local industry and build capacity through opportunity," said Shaw.
"We know that diversity in our supply chain opens opportunity for varied perspectives, enabling Boeing Defence Australia to continue to solve complex problems and provide innovative solutions for our customer."
Chief executive of IDC Adam Goodes said he is looking forward to Boeing's support and providing a range of IDC services to their supply chain.
"We are really excited to have signed an agreement to be a key supplier to Boeing Defence Australia. Boeing’s pedigree is second to none when it comes to working with minority groups. What they have achieved in the US is amazing and we are delighted that we will be working with Boeing to create success stories with our Indigenous consortium partners in Australia," said Goodes.
"We have already started working with the Boeing Supply Chain team to identify what opportunities are coming up and how we can contribute.
"It is all about identifying long-term opportunities and contracts for Indigenous businesses that will help build sustainable capabilities, grow capacity and showcase the ability of the Indigenous business sector."
The Boeing Company, which is a recognised global leader in supplier diversity excellence, spends approximately $1 billion annually with minority suppliers.
This partnership forms part of a broader commitment from Boeing Defence Australia to support diversity, working closely with IDC to progress initiatives to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment, retention and procurement opportunities.
This partnership comes just two months after DCNS Australia signed a letter of intent with the IDC to explore opportunities to include Indigenous Australians and Indigenous businesses within DCNS' supply chain, particularly within the Future Submarine Program, as reported by Defence Connect in November 2016.
