Boeing Demands Suppliers Embrace Automation

Boeing's Chief Technology Officer Lane Ballard recently spoke at an industry event, discussing the need for suppliers to adopt more automation and autonomy in their processes. The aerospace company is aiming to increase production, but Ballard emphasized that this goal can only be achieved if suppliers are able to work efficiently with automated systems.

According to Ballard, the aerospace industry used to rely on human-centric processes, which were time-consuming and labor-intensive. However, with the increasing demand for aircraft, Boeing needs to find ways to produce more planes quickly and reliably.

Ballard stated that suppliers need to be 'versed in autonomy' in order to meet Boeing's production ramp up targets. This means that they must be able to work seamlessly with automated systems, rather than relying on manual processes.