04/09/2014: The classic fighter import program for a country the size of Australia is to build for the domestic customer, the program ends, you do a little bit of sustainment work and then move on.
With the F-35 as a global program, a domestic supplier can position itself for global opportunities, and by so doing bringing core competitive competencies to the program itself. Investments up front are paid for downstream as the program continues to produce planes and generates demand for parts for a global fleet.
It is about getting the opportunity and then positioning to provide globally competitive value to the program itself.
For Marand, an Australian solutions provider, the F-35 program has provided a venue to shape new global relationships, which complement their Australian business.
Prior to the F-35 program engagement, Marand has not been a global exporter. This has changed with the F-35 program.
The company has added five clients through the F-35 program, which has allowed it to grow its export business.
The initial engagement of Marand in the F-35 program was designing and building a unique trailer for installing the F-135engine into the F-35. The trailer also removes the engine.
The performance on the engine trailer and tooling provided the opportunity to be considered by Lockheed and their partner BAE Syestms to provide Vertical Tails for the F-35 program.
According to the company’s Managing Director, David Ellul:
We recently had a ceremony to celebrate the delivery of the first Australian vertical tail set for the F-35. Next year we will deliver 4-6 tail sets and by 2019 we will be delivering around 70 per year for the program. As the second source, we will do around 30% of the total production of vertical tail sets.
Once production ramps up, we’ll be looking for other opportunities on Aerospace structural work. Five years ago, there’s no way we would have proved that we had the capability. F-35 has done that for us. But, with the ongoing help and support of Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems, we’ve created a whole new capability in Australia. And without them giving us the opportunity and trusting us and working with us and training us, okay, it wouldn’t have happened.
The photos in the slideshow show the event and various participants in the event at the Marand plant to highlight the delivery of the first vertical tail produced for a F-35 by Marand. Held on March 31, 2014.
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In the first photo, the Premier of Victoria – Dr Denis Napthine stands in front of an F-35 along with the Toorak College Girls Choir.
- In the first photo, the Premier of Victoria – Dr Denis Napthine stands in front of an F-35 along with the Toorak College Girls Choir.
- In the second photo is seen Major General (RET) Peter Haddad speaking with(from left to right) Rohan Stocker, General Manager, Marand, Cliff Robson, Senior Vice President F-35, BAE and David Ellul, Managing Director, Marand
- In the third photo, the Premier of Victoria, Dr. Denis Napthine is speaking at the ceremony.
- In the fourth photo, Senator Michael Ronaldson speaks to the attendees at the ceremony.
- In the fifth photo, standing in front of an F-35 are seen from Left to Right: Cr Paul Peulich, Kingston Mayor, Rohan Stocker, General Manager, Marand, The Hon. Gordon Rich-Phillips MP, Orlando Carvalho, Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin Corporation – Aeronautics, the Premier of Victoria, Dr. Denis Napthine. Cliff Robson, Senior Vice President F-35, BAE, David Ellul, Managing Director, Marand Elizabeth Miller, Member of Parliament for Bentleigh, Senator Michael Ronaldson and.the Hon. David Hodgett MP.
- In the sixth photo, standing by the wing of the F-35 are David Ellul – Managing Director, Marand, Orlando Carvalho, Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin Corporation Aeronautics and the Premier of Victoria, Dr, Denis Napthine.
- In the seventh photo, the Premier of Victoria, Dr. Denis Napthine is sitting in a mock up of the F-35 cockpit with David Ellul, the Managing Director of Marand standing beside the cockpit.
- In the eighth photo can be seen the first Marand contribution to the F-35. A Pratt & Whitney Engine Mock Up is seen mounted to Marand F-35 Removal and Installation Trailer.
- In the ninth photo, standing in front of the plane are Charles Ellul, Manufacturing Manager, Marand, Tony Ellul, Business Development Manager, Marand and David Ellul, Managing Director, Marand.
- In the final photo, standing by the plane are Paul Burns, F-35 Supply Chain Director, BAE, Cliff Robson, Senior Vice President F-35, BAE, David Ellul. Managing Director, Marand and Rohan Stocker, General Manager, Marand.