Hardide Coatings’ plan to secure the aerospace industry’s prestigious Nadcap approval is taking off. The provider of advanced surface coating technology aims to reach new frontiers of surface engineering by securing the accreditation within the next 18 months.
The company, which is currently undertaking test programmes with Airbus and AgustaWestland (AW), will be among the top tier of global aerospace suppliers for manufacturing quality when it gains Nadcap approval. This will bolster its systems and processes standards beyond the requirements of the currently held AS 9100 Rev C.
Nadcap (formerly the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program) is a globally recognised award managed by the aerospace and defence industries to recognise excellence in manufacturing quality products through superior processes. Increasingly, it is being seen as a mandatory requirement for key suppliers to aerospace OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).
Philip Kirkham, CEO of Hardide plc said: “We have products in development and testing with several of the biggest names in the aerospace industry and while we are not currently required to have Nadcap, we want to be Nadcap-accredited at the earliest opportunity as this further enhances our reputation with customers by bringing our quality systems and controls to what will be world class levels.”
The test programmes with Airbus and AgustaWestland (AW) are for use of the coating in safety-critical applications, so they have had to be very wide-ranging and detailed. It is estimated test programmes for both companies will be completed before mid-2014.
The schedule of work leading to Nadcap accreditation is expected to be completed by the end of 2014 and forms one of a range of preparations for future aerospace business.