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17 Jun 2009  -  Australia

Quickstep Technologies awarded AS9100 aerospace certification

Advanced materials company Quickstep Holdings Limited announced on June 15, 2009 that its main operating and subsidiary company Quickstep Technologies Pty Ltd has been awarded official accreditation to the AS9100 international aerospace quality standard.

The achievement of this important milestone now enables Quickstep to actively bid on and sign aerospace and defence contracts globally and clears the way for Quickstep’s subsidiary to work with the giant Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEM”) and their Tier One Manufacturers across Europe and the USA.

This AS9100 certification, which has been achieved in just 10 months from official project launch, reflects Quickstep’s drive and commitment to be a world-class supplier of aerospace components to civil and defence markets. Most organisations would take up to 2 years to reach a similar level. AS9100 accreditation covers the more well known ISO 9001:2000 quality standard, but also ensures the company has the right procedures and track record to do the more stringent aerospace work

Certification to the AS9100 standard provides
· Qualification as a prerequisite to be considered as an aerospace supplier
· Public recognition
· Internal validation of procedures and control
· Independent feedback to foster continual improvement

Most of the major aircraft engine manufacturers, such as Airbus, General Electric’s Aircraft Engine Division (GEAE), Boeing, Rolls-Royce Allison and Pratt & Whitney, require their suppliers to be certified to AS9100.

Commenting on the announcement, Quickstep’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Philippe Odouard, said: “AS9100, now covers our business processes, including all composite manufacturing programs using either conventional autoclave or Quickstep out-of-autoclave solutions,” he continued. “The achievement of this certification marks a fantastic achievement by our team – headed by Woodie Beckles, our Quality Management System project manager."

“We have now moved the organisation from an R&D organisation to a fully certified production and development organisation, breaking down barriers and implanting a quality culture – where individuals see continuous improvement as the norm. This paves the way for the commencement of aerospace manufacturing operations at our state-of-the-art, A$10 million manufacturing facility at North Coogee in Western Australia.”

As part of Quickstep’s day to day business the Company will continue to bid on manufacturing contracts within the global aerospace and defence industries to underpin the North Coogee facility.

The Company has also recently signed a Teaming Agreement with BAE Systems aimed at supplying the Australian Defence Force with deployable composite antennas for Satellite Communication terminals.

About Quickstep Holdings Limited
Quickstep is an Australian-based company which is at the forefront of advanced materials manufacturing and technology transfer for the global aerospace and defence industries.

The use of advanced composites is growing at an extraordinary rate with carbon material usage planned to increase at an average rate of 20% per annum for the next 10 years underwritten by high use carbon fibre commercial aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. Light weighting of vehicles is the prime driver with commercial aircraft and military equipment leading the charge.

Quickstep has significant capabilities and expertise in the production of aerospace-grade composite components using both conventional autoclave-based manufacturing and leading edge out-of-autoclave production technologies, including its proprietary Quickstep Process.

In early 2009 the Company commissioned a A$10 million manufacturing facility located in North Coogee, Western Australia now one of the most advanced composite aerospace manufacturing facilities in Australia with the second largest production capacity in the nation.
Quickstep has established strong working relationships with several major aerospace groups and Tier One Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM’s) to the aerospace and defence sectors, and is also pursuing a range of commercial opportunities through its global network of subsidiaries (located in Dayton, Ohio; and Munich, Germany), as well as through Alliances with Universities (Manchester, UK and Geelong, Victoria, Australia) and a number of Teaming Arrangements.

The Quickstep Business Model is based on generating revenue and income by:
· Technology transfer through the provision of the proprietary Quickstep Solution and production equipment with technical support and maintenance services provided under a ongoing support agreements or via joint venture arrangement;
· manufacture of composite components, out of its Australian facility, for aircraft OEM’s and Tier One suppliers as Build to Print or Build (and design) to Specification contracts; and
· conducting paid or self-funded Research & Development on new composite structures and material in the aerospace and defence sectors.

Source : Quickstep Holdings Limited