Export Programme: Aerospace Aluminium Bracket for a European Machine Builder

An export supply case for a structural bracket machined from 7075-T6 plate: the customer's market and documentation requirements, the compliance work, packaging and logistics, the goods-in result and how the ongoing programme is managed.

The customer and the market

A European machine builder needed a reliable second source for a structural bracket machined from 7075-T6 plate, specified as 2 mm walls with a profile tolerance of plus or minus 0.05 mm.

The drivers were capacity and cost, but the condition was that documentation and delivery reliability had to match its existing supplier.

Documentation and compliance

We supplied material certificates, dimensional reports, inspection records and, where applicable, REACH and RoHS declarations with the first shipment.

Part numbers, revision levels and batch references were agreed so that goods-in could trace every part to its inspection record.

Packaging and logistics

Parts were packed to the agreed method with corrosion protection, separated to prevent contact damage, and labelled to match the customer's receiving process.

Shipment schedules and documents were confirmed in advance so that customs clearance did not delay delivery.

Goods-in results

The first shipment passed incoming inspection with no non-conformances, and the customer's quality team approved the documentation package.

Subsequent shipments have repeated that result, which is what turned a trial order into a programme.

Ongoing supply

The programme now runs against a rolling forecast with agreed buffer stock, and any drawing revision is confirmed in writing before it is applied.

A named contact on each side handles technical and commercial questions, which keeps small issues from becoming disputes.

Summary

The lesson we carry into similar work is simple: spend the time on the setup, and the cutting takes care of itself.