Aerospace Defense Forum

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Special Tour of Edwards Air Force Base

Special Tour of Edwards Air Force Basef-35b-edwards

South Bay (CA) Chapter June 10 tour

The 412th Test Wing, the host wing for Edwards Air Force Base, plans, conducts, analyzes, and reports on all flight and ground testing of aircraft, weapons systems, software and components, as well as modeling and simulation, for the U.S. Air Force.

Please join us in Edwards, CA, on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 10:00am – 4:00pm PDT for an up close and personal visit to aircraft and operations that is not available to the general public. We will visit the Air Force Flight Test Museum (including a number of legacy aircraft, including a SR-71 Blackbird and a B-52). A flightline tour will be next, including planeside visits to an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and an F-22 Raptor. Lunch will be at the NASA Armstrong cafeteria followed by an extensive visit to the Maintenance Facility, where the aircraft are maintained, modified, and reviewed after tests.

Attendance is limited to 15 natural born US citizens who are the #1 or #2 operating executives of A&D companies or plants, i.e., organizations that have a direct role in production, e.g., engineering, fabrication, coating, and testing. Likewise, to promote exchange, each meeting is limited to 20 attendees.

The tour is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members. Advanced registration is required by June 3. For more information and to register to attend the meeting or for the waitlist, go to http://adfsbjun15.eventbrite.com.

Click here for more information about and to join The Aerospace & Defense Forum.

The South Bay Chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams, Aerospace Engineering Corp., Community Bank, and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting, and led by the presidents of AMG Torrance. Alloy Processing, Triumph Aerostructures-Hawthorne, Dasco Engineering Corporation, Brek Manufacturing, and Frontier Associates.

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“Is Lack of EQ Hurting Your Enterprise Value?”

“Is Lack of EQ Hurting Your Enterprise Value?”eq_iceberg1

South Bay (CA) Chapter May 13 meeting

Good leaders understand their purpose is to drive results. Great leaders understand their purpose is specific to creating enterprise value. There are multiple components to creating enterprise value and great leaders understand the various tools and skills required. EQ (Emotional Quotient) is one such skill that sets great leaders apart as they know to look for it within themselves, their leadership teams and their organizations. If EQ is not on your radar screen, you could be missing a key piece of the enterprise value creation formula and its absence might actually be holding back your progress.

Please join us in Torrance, CA, on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, 7:30am – 9:00am PDT (networking at 7:00am), when Larry O’Toole, CEO of Sanders Industries, will explain this final piece of the puzzle for accelerating creation of enterprise value.

Attendance is limited to the #1 or #2 operating executives of A&D companies or plants, i.e., organizations that have a direct role in production, e.g., engineering, fabrication, coating, and testing. Likewise, to promote exchange, each meeting is limited to 20 attendees.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until May 6). Advanced registration is required. For more information and to register to attend the meeting or for the waitlist, go to http://adfsbmay15.eventbrite.com.

Click here for more information about and to join The Aerospace & Defense Forum.

The South Bay Chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams, Aerospace Engineering Corp., Community Bank, and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting, and led by the presidents of AMG Torrance. Alloy Processing, Triumph Aerostructures-Hawthorne, Dasco Engineering Corporation, Brek Manufacturing, and Frontier Associates.

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“Gain a Competitive Advantage using ASURE”

“Gain a Competitive Advantage using ASURE”asure-howitworks

Arizona Chapter May 12 meeting

The ability for businesses large and small to efficiently tap into new technologies, new materials, new processes and new talent is critical to growing a business. Research universities offer low cost and efficient connections to these assets in a variety of ways.

The ASU Research Enterprise (ASURE), an applied research, development and consulting affiliate of Arizona State University, specializes in working with A&D businesses to connect them to ongoing research at the University at midrange technology readiness levels (TRL 5-7) focused on the defense and security sector.

Please join us in Phoenix on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, (networking at 7:00am, meeting 7:30–9:00am), when Fran Zenzen, Chief Operating Officer, ASURE, will describe how your company can gain a competitive advantage by connecting with ASURE.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum and Arizona Technology Council members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until May 5). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazmay15.eventbrite.com.

Click here for more information about and to join The Aerospace & Defense Forum.

The Arizona Chapter of The A&D Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams and Greenberg Traurig.

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“Risks and Opportunities of Operating in the Global Marketplace”

“Risks and Opportunities of Operating in the Global Marketplace”global marketplace

Orange County Chapter meeting on May 7
(live webstream available)

Businesses of all sizes wanting to expand their market share are continuing to seek and find opportunities in the global marketplace. However, selling abroad and being competitive in the international marketplace comes with a host of nuances, challenges, and obstacles.

Please join us in Irvine, CA on Thursday, May 7, 2015 (networking at 7:00am, meeting 7:30– 9:00am PST), when distinguished panelists David Josephson (Managing Director – Western Region, Ex-Im Bank) and Dave Hopkins (Executive Chairman, Air Transport Business Development, Inc.) will discuss these matters as well as the tools available to address and overcome them. Special focus will be given to the challenges of credit risk, working capital, and other financial matters involving international transactions.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until April 30. You may also attend via the web for free. Click here to register to attend the meeting

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Orange County chapter was founded by Frontier Associates and D.A. Davidson & Co., and is sponsored by Burdge Logistics, Moss Adams, Hein & Associates, and UK Trade & Investment.

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“Integrated Design – Changing the Way We Think”

“Integrated Design – Changing the Way We Think”mind_the_gap-logo

Los Angeles Chapter meeting on April 17

For over twenty years, Aerojet Rocketdyne has endeavored to change the fundamental way of thinking about product design and production in our industry. When combined with other techniques such as Design to Cost and Advanced Manufacturing, a new integrated design capability emerges that promises to produce simplified, more rapidly developed, affordable products.

Please join us in Los Angeles on Friday, April 17, 2015, 7:30am – 9:00am PDT (networking at 7:00am), when Art Weiss, Executive Director, Executive Director, Advanced Concepts, Rocket Shop, Aerojet Rocketdyne, will present a new way of thinking about systems and design that can have a dramatic impact on the costs, delivery time, and reliability of your products.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until April 10). For more information and to register to attend the meeting in person or for free via the web, go to https://adflaapr2015.eventbrite.com.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Los Angeles chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum was founded by Frontier Associates and the 62 Mile Club, and is sponsored by Moss Adams, IFS, Sheppard Mullin, CohnReznick, Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell, and UK Trade & Investment.

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“How to Avoid Being a Casualty of a Raw Materials Shortage”

“How to Avoid Being a Casualty of a Raw Materials Shortage”Production Concentration 2
South Bay (CA) Chapter April 8 meeting

As Commercial Airplane build rates continue to increase and the backlogs for certain aircraft approach six to nine years, the sustained availability of Raw Materials becomes more and more critical to the long term success of any supplier. Anyone running an Aerospace/Defense related manufacturing operation needs to have a clear understanding of the risks and market forces that can impact their Raw Material supply chain.

Please join us in Torrance, CA, on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, 7:30am – 9:00am PDT (networking at 7:00am), when Bill Leavelle, Director of Business Development, Castle Metals Aerospace, will describe the current operating environment in the major Aerospace Raw Materials of Alloy Steels, Aluminum, Titanium and Nickel Products, along with suggestions on how to best secure your supply chain. There will be a review of market fundamentals, and of past and future “Pinch Points”. Finally, Bill will provide his opinion of the market in the next 1-3 years, along with supply and demand through the “Mega Cycle”.

This presentation will be thought provoking and enlightening; a chance to view the Raw Materials industry from the eyes of an ‘insider’.

Attendance is limited to the #1 or #2 operating executives of A&D companies or plants, i.e., organizations that have a direct role in production, e.g., engineering, fabrication, coating, and testing. Likewise, to promote exchange, each meeting is limited to 20 attendees.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until April 1). Advanced registration is required. For more information and to register to attend the meeting or for the waitlist, go to http://adfsbapr15.eventbrite.com.

Click here for more information about and to join The Aerospace & Defense Forum.

The South Bay Chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams, Aerospace Engineering Corp., Community Bank, and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting, and led by the presidents of AMG Torrance. Alloy Processing, Triumph Aerostructures-Hawthorne, Dasco Engineering Corporation, Brek Manufacturing, and Frontier Associates.

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“Maximizing Enterprise Value: It’s Never too Soon to Start!”

“Maximizing Enterprise Value: It’s Never too Soon to Start!”Nest Egg Retirement
Orange County Chapter meeting on April 2
(live webstream available)

As we all know, the aerospace industry is currently experiencing a frenzy of acquisitions.

Selling a business is all about risk. The higher the risk, the lower the value. The lower the risk, the higher the value. As business leaders, it is a primary function of our positions to increase the attractiveness of our businesses and ready them for scrutiny by a potential buyer. Whether you run a department, or an entire business, creating enterprise value is a key part, if not the sole purpose, of the job. Too often, however, thought is given too late in the game.

Please join us in Irvine, CA on Thursday, April 2, 2015 (networking at 7:00am, meeting 7:30– 9:00am PST), when Larry O’Toole, CEO of Sanders Industries Holdings, Inc. will discuss the tangible and effective steps that can be taken to build enterprise value and, most of all, how to capture it through a liquidity event.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until April 1). You may also attend via the web for free. Click here to register to attend the meeting

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Orange County chapter was founded by Frontier Associates and D.A. Davidson & Co., and is sponsored by Burdge Logistics, Moss Adams, Hein & Associates, and UK Trade & Investment.

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“Cross-Border Opportunities in Mexican Aerospace”

“Cross-Border Opportunities in Mexican Aerospace”130816_mexico_aerospace_industry_data
San Diego Chapter meeting on March 24

The Mexican aerospace industry has grown dramatically in the past 10 years, not only in its traditional home of Queretaro state, but now in Baja California. Mexican aerospace has grown from 100 U.S. and European manufacturers in 2004 to over 300 in 2014.

Mexico offers U.S. aerospace firms several advantages for their business, including: a highly educated engineering workforce (including design and manufacturing engineering) an advantageous cost structure, and a very friendly regulatory environment, with easy access to U.S. and international markets.

Please join us in San Diego on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 (networking at 5:00pm, meeting and refreshments 5:30– 7:30pm PST), when a panel will provide practical insights and guidance to U.S. aerospace firms doing business in Mexico, both as an end market, as well as a source of operating and business advantages. Our panel will include representatives from industry, as well as export and trade oriented organizations:

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until March 17). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsdmar15.eventbrite.com.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The San Diego chapter was founded by Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton and Frontier Associates, and is sponsored by Moss Adams, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and LevitZacks.

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“Developments in Aerospace Additive Manufacturing”

“Developments in Aerospace Additive Manufacturing”3d.printing
Los Angeles Chapter meeting on March 20

The additive manufacturing (AM) industry is fast growing, over 30% annually, with new applications and uses being applied every day.

Please join us in Los Angeles on Friday, March 20, 2015, 7:30am – 9:00am PDT (networking at 7:00am), when Steve Kidd, CEO of Cimtech, will discuss AM as used in aerospace companies over the last ten years, including showing actual successes of applications to manufacture tooling, fixtures, composite tools and parts for end-use production parts. Come learn more about this disruptive technology and how it might provide your company a competitive edge

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until March 13). For more information and to register to attend the meeting in person or for free via the web, go to https://adflamar15.eventbrite.com.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Los Angeles chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum was founded by Frontier Associates and the 62 Mile Club, and is sponsored by Moss Adams, IFS, Sheppard Mullin, CohnReznick, Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell, and UK Trade & Investment.