Arizona Zanjeros + ACA Create Aerospace & Defense Supply Chain Directory

Arizona's first comprehensive aerospace and defense supply chain database premiers

Jun 23, 2016, 3:42pm MST Updated 4:28
Phoenix Business Blog                        
                                                                                              
The Arizona Zanjeros and Arizona Commerce Authority are initiating the first in a series of resources to boost Arizona supply chain vendors in aerospace and defense.

 

The first comprehensive statewide database of companies in the two sectors is now accessible from a single portal: A&D Supply Chain Directory.

A&D Supply Chain Directory
Welcome to the Arizona Aerospace & Defense interactive database.
With this directory, you can:

• Access vendors with specialized competencies, clearances and certifications,
• Identify potential new clients who can benefit from your company’s unique competencies and offerings, and
• Research Arizona companies with whom to partner to pursue larger contracts or projects.
• View contact information and other company details (registered users only)

If you’re an Arizona A & D company and have not created a profile, click on the Add My Company button.
Enter the name of a company (complete or partial) or the types of products or services you are looking for then click Search.

The data is not only company contact information, but allows searches by competencies, specializations, security clearances and certifications.

 

Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, said the idea is to make it easier for Arizona companies to become a bigger part of the state’s $3.6 billion aerospace export industry. With more than 52,000 workers, increasing localization of the supply chain boosts payrolls, company profits, growth opportunities and entrepreneurship.

The A&D Supply Chain Directory, which will be promoted to the overall industry, is the first time any organization has compiled this type of a list at this depth of detail. Its creation was funded by a grant from the Department of Defense.

“The goal of the database is to help the industry identify growth opportunities, such as finding new suppliers, customers and partnerships,” said Kim Smith, Vice President of Attack Helicopters and Mesa Senior Site Executive at Boeing, and co-chair of the Zanjeros aerospace and defense sub-committee.

The Arizona Zanjeros, an organization of top company executives from across the state charged with promoting Arizona business sectors, recognized the opportunity, according to Co-chairman Michael Bidwell, president of the Arizona Cardinals.

"(The Zanjeros) formed subcommittees in three high-value industries – aerospace and defense, bioscience and health care, and information technology,” he said. “(These) are tasked with creating tools and making connections that will directly benefit Arizona companies.”

According to Arizona Zanjeros website

"I want the world to know that Arizona is the ideal place to live, work, play, recreate, retire, visit, build a business and get an education."

Governor Doug Ducey
Founder of the Arizona Zanjeros

To make that vision a reality, Governor Doug Ducey has founded a new business leadership group called the Arizona Zanjeros. Led by Arizona Cardinals President Michael Bidwill and Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lea Marquez Peterson as co-chairs, the group’s objective is to promote Arizona’s reputation as a prime place to conduct business with an unmatched quality of life. Utilizing the benefits and advantages of a public-private partnership, the organization will work closely with the state’s economic development partners to host visiting CEOs and provide both hospitality and first-hand accounts of what it’s like to live and do business here.

Traditionally, zanjeros are water masters who control the expansive canal systems that provide a sustainable water source to Arizona’s metropolitan regions and allow life to flourish in the desert. In a similar vein, the Arizona Zanjeros will help promote the state and drive business growth, expansion and development by serving as ambassadors for the state and working to ensure the state continues to flourish economically.

[ Image from http://www.arizonazanjeros.com/ ]

More than 1,250 companies with Arizona presence in aerospace and defense submitted information on products, services and capabilities. The data were collected through interviews, surveys focus groups and oversight by A&D companies from across Arizona.

“This database is not only important for Arizona-based suppliers, but also for aerospace and defense companies that do business on a global scale,” said Tim Mahoney, President and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace and co-chair of the Zanjeros aerospace and defense sub-committee.

 

                                     Eric Jay Toll Reporter Phoenix Business Journal

Eric covers economic development, banking and finance, infrastructure, transportation and utilities.