Maine Pointe’s Chris Brumitt examines supply chain challenges in aerospace and defense

As aerospace and defense manufacturers contend with ongoing supply chain disruptions and escalating costs, managing supplier risk and quality assurance is becoming increasingly vital. Chris Brumitt, managing director for aerospace and defense at Maine Pointe, explores these issues and practical solutions in his latest article for Aviation Maintenance Magazine.

The aerospace industry currently faces a record backlog of 17,000 new aircraft orders, with delivery times stretching over a decade. This backlog, combined with labor shortages, reduced supplier visibility, and volatile material availability—even down to raw materials—has exposed significant weaknesses in supply chain management, particularly among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their tier 1 suppliers.

“Much of the focus has been on tier 1 suppliers who provide complex systems like engines and avionics,” said Brumitt. “However, the true challenge lies deeper in the supply chain with numerous smaller suppliers, often lacking the systems and resources to manage demand and production effectively.”

OEMs and prime contractors often rely on production readiness audits to assess suppliers, but Brumitt highlights that these processes can be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of suppliers and inconsistent evaluation standards. This can lead to superficial assessments that miss underlying issues.

Communication gaps and poor data clarity further complicate supplier management. Smaller suppliers frequently struggle with unclear demand signals and fluctuating order volumes, while OEMs and tier 1s face challenges consolidating data from disparate systems. This disconnect often undermines trust and predictability in the supply chain.

To address these challenges, Brumitt advocates for shifting from reactive problem-solving toward a predictive supplier quality model. Key elements include:

• Consolidating supplier data and implementing robust risk ranking systems
• Prioritizing critical suppliers based on risk and production impact
• Developing comprehensive supplier readiness assessments that go beyond checklists
• Establishing clear communication channels and shared data platforms

Brumitt also connects these supply chain challenges with recent industry developments, including the impacts of tariffs. In another Aviation Maintenance article publishing this week, he noted that tariffs add cost unpredictability and operational complexity, further emphasizing the need for efficient, data-driven supply chain strategies.

As aerospace and defense manufacturers and service providers face mounting cost and capacity pressures, Brumitt stresses that supply chain transformation is essential. “Companies that invest in data-driven operations, stronger supplier collaboration, and proactive planning are better positioned to navigate today’s challenges and improve long-term competitiveness,” he said.