The evolution of Growermetal in the aviation sector

The evolution of Growermetal in the aviation sector
May 30, 2024

Thanks to innovation, quality, reliability, as well as obtaining EN/AS 9100 accreditation for its quality management system, Growermetal’s history is characterized by continuous investments in the aerospace and defense sector – as the company enters a new phase of its evolution.

With 70 years of experience in parts design and manufacturing, the Italian manufacturer offers a wide range of fastening solutions for the widest and most demanding applications, including automotive, railway, construction, transportation, electromechanical, energy, oil and gas, industrial and aerospace. .

In particular, the aerospace sector has become crucial since 2021, when Growermetal obtained EN/AS 9100 certification for its quality management system – compliant with aerospace specifications. This achievement marked a milestone for Growermetal as it opened the door to the aerospace and defense markets, placing the company among the most reliable suppliers in the industry.

Two aspects in particular contributed to achieving this goal. Firstly, the company’s continuous investment in research and innovation has resulted in increasingly efficient solutions, which has led to participation in important projects and the introduction of new projects. Secondly, the solidity of its own structure and the diversity of services make Growermetal stand out as a reference point for customers looking for reliability and flexible solutions.

All this, combined with the operations of the two sales divisions Growermetal Do Mercosul in Brazil and Growermetal USA in North America, have contributed to the establishment of an international network and the growing use of Growermetal products for aerospace applications around the world.

Aviation and Defense Review

“To understand the latest evolution undertaken by Growermetal, it may be useful to briefly look at the context of the aerospace and defense market,” explains Paolo Cattaneo, CEO of Growermetal SpA. “In 2023, domestic commercial aviation showed an upward trend, and the aerospace and defense sector overall saw a recovery in product demand. Market growth is expected to continue over the next few years, forcing companies involved in the aerospace and defense supply chain to face new challenges.

Paolo continues: “The integration of digitalization and cutting-edge technologies in the process will be crucial in this scenario where reliability, safety and precision reign supreme. Digital transformation is expected to spur the creation of innovative products and streamline the logistics system, while minimizing problems and compensating for longer lead times. At the same time, the unavailability of materials after the pandemic causes delays in production and deliveries, and therefore increases costs. Therefore, raw material shortages are likely to remain a problem for component manufacturers around the world.

“Just in Time” philosophy.

To cope with this difficult context, Growermetal feels the need to support customers with improved services. By maintaining an inventory of raw materials and finished products, a washing machine manufacturer is able to manage potential resource shortages and minimize lead times in this complex situation.

Opened in 2013, the automated warehouse is an expression of Growermetal’s focus on customer satisfaction, which has always characterized the company’s approach. Thanks to the self-supporting structure with a length of over 1,500 m² with automated space, 11,000 storage spaces, 17 storage levels, as well as five laser-controlled shuttles and stacker cranes, the warehouse handles over 4,000 items – moving goods back and forth on an average of 800 missions per day.

“Recently, this efficiency has been increased by combining the packaging department, which has simplified product handling while expanding customization options,” notes Paolo. “All this has contributed to increased flexibility, which is crucial for highly demanding sectors such as aerospace and defense.”

This design also ensures “Just in Time” service, in line with the requirements of the constantly developing aviation market. Thanks to this, the company can bring many benefits, including: reducing operating costs while reducing waiting times, as well as easier monitoring and tracking of goods, as well as increased production efficiency.

Digitization of the supply chain

Another important aspect to consider is the digitization of operations. Digital technologies used in the production or delivery process open the way to more efficient products and operations, which are essential for aviation industries regulated by demanding requirements and standards. But to welcome and accelerate this global transformation, aerospace and defense suppliers are being asked to modernize their plants, tools and processes. Growermetal’s forward-looking investments in innovation and research and development meet this need, shaping a highly efficient production system.

From tooling design to surface finishing, every step of Growermetal’s integrated manufacturing is monitored and implemented to ensure compliance with the demanding standards of the aerospace industry, where reliability, safety and precision are mandatory. For example, to eliminate foreign and incompatible parts, mechanical sorting and optical sorting along with advanced camera systems are delivered on-site. Additionally, the diversity of Growermetal’s services is combined with continuous modernization of the machinery, which is reflected in the commitment to equip internal laboratories with the latest generation measuring devices. Investment in research and development has not only enabled the creation of a range of branded washing machine designs (including the Grower TenKeep^®SpheraTech Breeder^®Detecto breeder^® and the breeder’s reaction^®), but also encouraged cooperation with partners and universities.

A wide range of solutions for aviation and defense

As for Growermetal’s offering, the range of available products includes special stamped parts tailored to customer requirements, as well as flat washers, spring washers and lock washers, designed by the company’s engineers to meet aerospace standards such as MS (Military Standard) and NAS (National Aviation Standard).

The versatility of Growermetal’s aviation offering includes a variety of available raw materials ranging from steel, carbon steel, aluminum, titanium, Inconel, brass, copper, bronze, stainless steel and CRES materials, with a range of surface treatments. Customers can choose from electrogalvanizing, cadmium, passivation, anodizing, black oxide, mechanical galvanizing and phosphating, among others, ensuring their specific needs are precisely met.

“Aeronautical applications are exposed to high vibration and extreme environmental conditions, requiring compliance with rigorous international certifications and standards even down to the smallest detail,” reports Paolo. “To further ensure quality, transparency is paramount, which is why we provide customers with all necessary technical and quality assurance documentation, aligning with the stringent aerospace supply chain requirements.”

Current and future projects

Driven by its commitment to the aerospace sector, Growermetal was forced to re-invent its production models and approach in a transformative way – while continuing to focus on its flagship products. In this evolution, relationships with important industry players, research centers and universities have been crucial and have contributed to the creation of an innovation-oriented network.

In 2023, another confirmation of Growermetal’s commitment to the aviation and space industry was the company’s joining the Lombardy Aerospace Cluster, a network of over 100 companies, universities and research centers.

Looking to future steps, participation in important external projects is associated with internal strategic investments, as evidenced by the construction of the GIC – Growermetal Innovation Center. “This new mixed-use building, which started in 2023, will open in 2024, becoming the focal point of future projects. It will include new areas dedicated to research and development, laboratories, training rooms and spaces for sharing ideas and projects, opening the way to unexplored opportunities for customers in the aerospace and defense industry,” reports Paolo.

Presentation of possibilities

To promote its services and consolidate its role in the industry, Growermetal focuses on some of the most important international aviation and space exhibitions around the world. The company has already participated in a number of trade fairs in the USA, including: HAI HELI-EXPO in Anaheim, Aerospace & Defense Supply Summit in Seattle and MRO Americas in Chicago, as well as the new edition of Aerospace and Defense Meetings in Seville, Spain.

Growermetal will also travel to the UK with the Lombardy Aerospace Cluster to take part in the Farnborough International Air Show. The event will take place from 22^II – 26^vol July at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, bringing together major international players in the aerospace and defense industry, from SMEs to international organisations.

The last key event for the entire aviation industry supply chain will be the AEROMART 2024 trade fair, 3^R&D – 5^vol December, which will bring together OEMs, suppliers and manufacturers at the Meett exhibition center in Toulouse, France. This event, attended by over 1,200 companies from 40 countries, will be the final chapter of Growermetal’s journey in 2024 and another valuable opportunity for the manufacturer to present its latest products and engage with new trends in the aerospace and defense supply chain.

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