On April 23, 2024, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) brought together Fort Worth-area businesses for a supply chain policy roundtable, in partnership with member company Elbit Systems of America. The roundtable convened 21 of AIA’s small and medium-sized supply chain member companies to explore avenues through which the United States Department of Defense and the rest of the federal government can support businesses of all sizes dedicated to our national defense.

Companies that attended yesterday’s roundtable included Ernst & Young LLP, Interconnect Wiring, Perimeter Global Logistics, Belcan, GKN Aerospace, Textron, Deloitte, and Andrews Aerospace.

“The supply chain is the lifeblood of the American aerospace and defense industry, and its health is paramount to continued advancements in safety, technology, efficiency, and sustainability — the innovations that keep America as the global leader in aerospace and defense,” said Eric Fanning, AIA’s President and CEO. “The Aerospace Industries Association convened this roundtable to connect policymakers directly with our supply chain members to help shape the initiatives that will strengthen this essential network, and we look forward to bringing their messages back to Washington, DC.”

Supply chain employees represent 57.7 percent of the total aerospace and defense workforce, playing a crucial role in driving our nation’s economic prosperity and ensuring national security. On June 13, AIA will continue this important discussion on supply chain resiliency in the aerospace and defense industry with policymakers at the inaugural Supply Chain Summit in the Washington, DC area.

As the voice of the American aerospace and defense industry, AIA represents members up and down the aerospace and defense supply chain – from small component suppliers to large original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).