Management

Background, Experience and Capability

Process Fab Inc. (PFI) is a precision manufacturing company incorporated in the state of California in 1983, offering turnkey manufacturing solutions to the aerospace industry. PFI engineering, design, fabrication and machining capabilities support a full spectrum of customer needs, from the simple to the sophisticated, including aircraft tooling, fixtures, transporters, containers, fabricated weldments, sub-assemblies, electro-mechanical assemblies, composites and plastic structures. Over the past ten years, with the addition of our AS9100 and ISO 9001 Certifications, we have completed multiple projects in the field of airframe, flight component, missile bodies, satellite structures and various other flight system hardware, assemblies and sub-assemblies. PFI customers, programs and product experience include:

	Alliant Techsystems (Hercules Aerospace) Exit cones, Titan Rocket Water Quench System
	Aerojet ASRM Division Propellant molds, forward frame work for the ASRM Solid Rocket Motor
	Boeing and the United States Air Force C17 Transport Jet Both designed and build-to-print tools, drill fixtures, templates, assembly jigs, master models and ground support equipment totaling over 60 million dollars
	General Electric Aircraft Engines Division Intake Cowlings for the GE90 and related tooling
	Boeing Space Systems, Huntington Beach PFI designed and built the DCX Rocket Transporter, Delta Solid Rocket Motor Transporter and Storage Containers
	Aerojet J20 Satellite Sensor, Space Craft Environmental Enclosures for the GEO, HEO and NRO programs, satellite panels, flight hardware, handling devices and other related hardware; Air-Road Transporter for the Atlas Rocket, various handling and holding fixtures, and lifting devices
	Lockheed Martin Aircraft Shipping/storage containers, bonding fixtures for spacecraft assembly and air transporters
	Lockheed Missiles and Space Company Launch support equipment, handling equipment, missile shipping containers, transporters and payload encapsulated containers
	Boeing Space and Communications Satellite assembly fixtures, handling devices, transporting equipment and environmental enclosures and ULA (Delta/Atlas) RF (Radio Frequency) Shielded Enclosures
	Additional contracts of magnitude include: Lockheed Martin Palmdale (Skunk Works), Boeing Integrated Defense, Boeing Future Combat Systems and Boeing Phantom Works

Process Fab's overall program management system consists of project engineers, project coordinators, managers, and shop personnel - all highly skilled in the aerospace industry. Process Fab has received many commendations from our customers. In 2008, we achieved a 99.7% supplier performance rating with Lockheed Martin, and a 99.2% rating with Boeing. Also in 2008, PFI was recognized by Lockheed Martin for its work on the F-35 program and by Aerojet for the Atlas V Solid Rocket Motor program. Past awards include the Lockheed Martin Supplier of the Year Award in 2000; the Lockheed Martin Astronautics Supplier Excellence Award in 1998; and the Boeing-Stellar Award. PFI has also received recognition from General Dynamics, Alliant Techsystems and Northrop Grumman for contracts being completed on time or ahead of schedule, and for meeting every milestone during the project management phase.

Lean Manufacturing Initiatives

Process Fab (PFI) is committed to manufacturing excellence. In 2008, working with our aerospace prime contractors and using Gap Analysis and Kaizen planning techniques, PFI undertook a significant review of operations with emphasis on Lean Manufacturing. This is an ongoing effort that continues with strong management involvement in 2009.

Milestones achieved to date include:

	Addition of a full time Six-sigma Black Belt tasked to work on all lean activities
	Purchase and installation of new equipment and software to increase feed rates
	Revised policies for machine loading
	Improved communications and hand-off between work shifts
	Material staging improvements
	Installation of a Cribmaster tool control system
	Implementation of daily tool usage reports
	Scrap reduction, set-up reduction and real time inspection
	Mapping of key process flows
	Ongoing evaluation of key performance metrics

In 2009, PFI will install a new JobBOSS ERP system up and running, which will provide an even closer working environment between material management, quality, pricing and accounting, and the shop floor. Current plans call for the new PFI ERP system to be operational by August 2009.