ASCO INDUSTRIES
PASSION IN
PRECISION Since 1954, ASCO Industries has thrived as an historic family-owned aerospace engineering business supplying manufacturing of quality Writer: Phoebe Harper | Project Manager: Matthew Taylor 2 | EME Outlook issue 44
MANUFACTURING
T
he rule at ASCO Industries, is to always be one step ahead. Ranked by Flight International as one of the worldwide Aerospace Top 100 Companies, ASCO Industries (ASCO) was established in 1954 and continues to run as a family-owned business. Recently, the company was acquired by Switzerland-based
Montana Group. ASCO continues to be presided over by generations of the Boas family, with CEO Christian Boas currently at the helm. Today, the company enjoys an esteemed reputation as a world-class supplier in the design and manufacture of high lift structures, complex mechanical
assemblies, and major functional components. This global recognition is the direct result of ASCO’s innovative stance as a leader in technological progress, incorporating the most advanced techniques within its production methods. The company caters to a diversified client base spanning EME Outlook issue 44 | 3
ASCO INDUSTRIES the international aerospace sector, offering industry-leading engineering solutions in a highly competitive landscape.
ENGINEERING PRECISION ASCO’s overarching commitment to its people and products, guaranteed at every stage of the manufacturing process, is that of precision. ASCO upholds the belief that precision in aerospace translates to a focus on the details, whilst maintaining a perspective of the bigger picture. As such, ASCOs’ quality management systems and procedures are held to the highest level of international requirements. A focus on continual innovation is the cornerstone of ASCO’s technological prowess. The company recognises that this constant pursuit of improvement serves to create a leaner organisation with more environmentally-friendly manufacturing techniques, securing long-term financial strength
“ASCO CAPITALISES ON ITS WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION AND KNOWLEDGE AS AN INDUSTRY BENCHMARK IN THE DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, MANUFACTURE, TREATMENT AND ASSEMBLY OF COMPLEX HIGH LIFT ASSEMBLIES AND CRITICAL STRUCTURAL SUB-ASSEMBLIES, TO REMAIN AN INDUSTRY LEADER OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY” - ASCO INDUSTRIES to the benefit of all stakeholders whilst successfully meeting customers’ objectives. Its innovative solutions are enabled through continuous R&D and partnerships undertaken with both customers and academia. ASCO’s products are comprised within two main areas; design and build, and build to print. Within design and build, ASCO sustains its worldwide market position in high lift devices, developing
EARLY BEGINNINGS ASCO Industries enjoys a proud reputation within the realm of aerospace manufacturing thanks to its rich heritage. The ASCO story began in 1954 in a small workshop in Brussels, with Emile Boas and his close collaborators. In 1965, when the Belgium army invited tenders for the fifth echelon reconditioning of the mechanical parts for its vehicle park, ASCO was chosen to conduct the renovation of all military vehicles. In 1973, ASCO opened its first HQ facilities in Zaventem, followed by the inauguration of ‘ASCO 1’ - the first link in a major industrial complex. The 1970s were a dynamic period of activity for ASCO, preceding the early ‘80s when conventional machine tools began to be replaced by computer-controlled numerical machines. ASCO continued to be awarded military contracts by the Belgium Ministry of Defence, including within the framework of the acquisition programme of the M113. Gradually, the assembly plant became reliant on robotics, calculators and 3D computer imaging for maximum precision and timesaving.
4 | EME Outlook issue 44
deployment mechanisms and support systems for WING’s movable leading edge slats and trailing edge flaps. Its strength in this area is reflected by the fact that ASCO has become the preferred partner of choice for most of the world’s commercial aircraft fleet in the design and manufacture of enhanced lift and landing solutions. In this segment of the business, the Concept Design Phase (CDP) is crucial, as the stage where ASCO’s design and stress engineers develop
MANUFACTURING
sales@bmtaerospace.com | www.bmtaerospace.com
Airborne Excellence Mr. Benoit Reynders Chief Executive Officer
BMT Aerospace is part of the BMT Group, an industrial, family-owned holding company that invests in high precision machining companies with market leadership positions. BMT Aerospace provides manufacturing capabilities for the global Aerospace market. We are specialized in making high precision products and complex assemblies for turbine engines, leading and trailing edge devices, complex actuations, APU’s (auxiliary power units) and helicopter drive systems. For our customers we are “fit for purpose”. We enable this through our 3-plant strategy. The benefit for our partners? Flexibility, agility, cost optimisation and bandwidth. Our Engineering and Program Management teams’ focus is quality, fast moving industrialization and execution in deliveries. As BMT Aerospace, we believe in genuine partnerships throughout the whole process, from decision to delivery.
BMT is a primary source for the market of highprecision aerospace gears, shafts and gearbox assemblies. Our legacy is huge as we are part of almost every existing program in Aerospace. Main customers are Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, GE Aviation, Honda, Honeywell, Irkut, Safran, Sukhoi, Collins, Rolls-Royce, Sikorsky, Pratt & Whitney and many more. The reason for our success? Our loyal, skilled and motivated employees. Because of them, BMT succeeds to keep up with the evolving market and reinvent ourselves to stay relevant for our customers. BMT Aerospace locations: Oostkamp, Belgium Fraser, Michigan, USA Iasi, Romania
EME Outlook issue 44 | 5
ASCO INDUSTRIES
AT A GLANCE - ASCO ACTIVITIES ENGINEERING - ASCO maintains technological leadership through excellence in engineering and ensures that its engineers are well educated and equipped with the most advanced tools and technology to allow ASCO to develop competitive and award-winning products. INDUSTRIALISATION - ASCO’s industrialisation department defines the means and methods for the start-up of new products along with the continuous improvement of existing projects. PRODUCTION - ASCO continuously invests in its production facilities and the training of its operators and engineers. ASCO’s teams ensure that the most modern technological developments are implemented in a costeffective way to support its customers’ requirements. SUPPLY CHAIN - ASCO’s global production and assembly sites are equipped with state-of-the-art production machinery and are supported by a well-regulated quality supply chain. ASCO expects the best from its production and supply chain to produce the highest quality and most reliable products for an increasingly demanding marketplace. new aircraft technology concepts integrated with the customer’s design team. This extends to verification tests, final release and review authorisation of 3D models. In build to print, ASCO demonstrates its flexibility in catering to various customer demands with the manufacture and assembly of high-precision five axis components produced in hard and light metal alloys. This includes landing gear, structural parts, fuselage, interfaces and attachments. 6 | EME Outlook issue 44
QUALITY - ASCO’s procedures are maintained to the highest industrial requirements with ASCO’s quality management system being registered in EN 9100. ASCO focuses on total quality and continuous improvement in all its processes and relationships. AIRCRAFT PROGRAMMES - ASCO looks towards the future of the aerospace industry and for new opportunities to develop high technology solutions for new aircraft platforms. That’s why ASCO’s research programmes include the development of new concepts using innovative materials and processes. ASCO is working with key customers, major OEMs and academia to pave the way towards greener aviation via the European Clean Sky research initiatives.
What are the strengths of BMT Aerospace’s global footprint and the range of applications that you offer? BMT provides gears and gearboxes to the aerospace industry with very high quality expectations. We are masters in translating the engineering drawings of our customers towards a cost effective, high performance production process. We are top class in making the impossible possible. Our footprint ranges from Eastern Europe through Central Europe to North America where two of our three plants are completely vertically integrated, resulting in a onestop shop. We combine the best in class engineering capabilities with low cost production capabilities.
How do BMT Aerospace incorporate digitalisation and Industry 4.0? BMT Aerospace has always been an early adopter when it comes to the implementation of Industry 4.0 concepts. For the last decade, we have been working on creating a digital twin, which enabled us to improve our quality, cost, and on time delivery. Data capturing and analysis are the drivers to continuously improve our performance. Recently, BMT Aerospace has been awarded for his data driven approach as the winner of the 2019 Factory of the Future, which is the highest distinction for applying Industry 4.0 concepts within the Belgian industry.
T +32 50 24 90 00
|
How is the aviation industry recovering the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? While commercial aerospace, representing 50% + of the BMT Aerospace revenue stream was severely hit by a historic drop in air traffic during COVID-19, we are now seeing early signs of demand recovery. This recovery is however marked by slow growth. It will likely be another two years before market goes back to pre-pandemic levels for narrow body aircraft. As for the wide body we do not expect recovery before the ned of the decade. We expect increased vertical integration of the supply chain and see the related matters of material cost and staff availability as challenges to the industry’s ability to meet the growing demand.
E Sales@bmtaerospace.com
|
www.bmtaerospace.com
ASCO INDUSTRIES
Tylco Lube Since 1936, Blaser Swisslube has stood for lubricant solutions that offer measurable added value and are gentle to people and the environment. The family-owned Swiss company develops, produces and sells a comprehensive range of metalworking fluids for a variety of industries. With a team of application experts, customised services and excellent products, Blaser Swisslube helps manufacturers fully capitalise on the potential of their machines and tools and turn the metalworking fluid into a key success factor – a Liquid Tool.
www.tylcolube.be
ASCO’s relentless pursuit of excellence in engineering has been met with several awards throughout the company’s operation. Ultimately, this precision-centric focus extends to ASCO’s dedication to on-time delivery in accordance with the customer’s exact requirements. A significant ongoing initiative for ASCO is the company’s recent joint venture with Sabca and Sonaca Group on the BeLightning project. This entails activity to build horizontal tails and related components for the F-35 Lightning II fifth generation fighter jet. With all production activity centred in Belgium, the BeLightning project complements ASCO’s continued production of flaperons (moving flight control surfaces) for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. It is this pride in both projects and products that led to Montana Group’s purchase of ASCO as an esteemed manufacturer of aircraft parts, to expand the aerospace enterprises’ 8 | EME Outlook issue 44
“OUR PHILOSOPHY IS SIMPLE: IT IS BASED ON PRECISION AT ALL LEVELS. PRECISION BY PEOPLE AND OUR MACHINES, WHATEVER ROLE THEY BOTH HAVE, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE MEANS WE AS A COMPANY PUT AT THEIR DISPOSAL” - ASCO INDUSTRIES offerings. Through the acquisition of ASCO, Montana Group will strategically further its competencies in product design, testing, and the manufacturing of hard metal components and assemblies for wing and fuselage structures.
PRIDE IN PEOPLE ASCO recognises that with their industry-leading reputation comes a level of responsibility to the people surrounding and included in the business; both in terms of customers and the employees whose careers rely on ASCO’s success.
As a third-generation family-run business, ASCO instils an intimate way of working at all levels of the business that highly values staff and the company’s relationship with the wider community. By fostering strong partnerships, ASCO seeks to work closely with customers, which in turn mobilises the internal team to value working together, distilling a spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity. The ASCO enterprise today totals approximately 1,000 members of staff working in manufacturing sites in Belgium and British Columbia.
MANUFACTURING
Your approved partner for the aerospace industry. Let us show you that the right metalworking fluid is smart investment with big results. A powerful lever on your overall costs, with positive effects on tool life, cycle time, workpiece quality and machinist satisfaction. Test us. It’s worth it. blaser.com/aerospace Our representation in Belux: N.V. TYLCO Lube S.A Gentse Steenweg 117 bus 24 B-9160 Lokeren www.tylcolube.be
EME Outlook issue 44 | 9
ASCO INDUSTRIES
Over Machining Centers OUR STRENGTHS “Be smart, be clever, be efficient” We strive to play a key role in the management of the production processes of our clients. Our aim is to improve efficiency in the manufacturing activities, not only by replacing obsolete machineries with completely retrofitted “like new” ones, providing exclusive customisations designed on the client’s needs, but also with innovative Artificial Intelligence software solutions, that can turn yours into a Smart Factory. We provide our clients with a comprehensive portfolio of activities including predictive maintenances, brake down services and spare parts replacement. OUR GOAL
“AS THE BACKBONE OF THE BUSINESS, ALL ASCO ENGINEERS ARE COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING EXCELLENCE THROUGH THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS FOR HIGH LIFT DEVICES AND COMPLEX STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLIES” - ASCO INDUSTRIES The know-how of ASCO’s fleet of technicians is industry-leading, with unparalleled in-house capabilities. This is fostered through the active promotion of continuous professional training on all elements pertaining to current technical and commercial matters. As the backbone of the business, all ASCO engineers are committed to maintaining excellence through the design and development of high technology applications for high lift devices and complex structural assemblies, whilst also working towards technologies and processes to create a greener environment. By prioritising professionalism through teamwork, communication, 10 | EME Outlook issue 44
education, and training, ASCO is able to attract and retain qualified staff who truly want to make a difference in the industry. These individuals prize a culture centred on collaboration and the generation of new ideas, whilst pursuing personal challenges that will help them fulfil their individual potential. The company also champions a continuous development programme for all stakeholders in order to develop mutually beneficial relationships. Leveraging the competitive advantage of its heritage in the sector, ASCO and its innovative, precise engineering will continue to define the future of aerospace.
Our top priority is to be a reliable and supportive partner to allow our clients to be as competitive as possible on the market. We are also aware of the impact our lives have on the environment thus, we provide customizations or product solutions to reduce waste and consumptions during the production. “HUMAN+MACHINE” APPROACH Despite being aware of the role technologies and Artificial Intelligence solutions play in the business growth, we firmly believe that human resources are the key element of every successful business and we everyday work to increase problem solving and teamwork skills among our staff.
www.overmc.eu
MANUFACTURING
IMPROVE YOUR EFFICIENCY OVER IS A LEADING PARTNER FOR MANUFACTURERS OF AEROSPACE AND INDUSTRY SECTOR, PROVIDING HIGH-LEVEL MACHINING CENTERS RETROFITTING AS WELL AS BEST-IN-CLASS MAINTENANCE SERVICES.
Over Machining Centers Europe s.r.l. | Via D’Antona n. 1/11 | 29010 Pontenure (PC) Ph. +39 0523 1557222 | info@overmc.it | www.overmc.eu
EME Outlook issue 44 | 11
PRODUCED BY EME OUTLOOK MAGAZINE