Targeted Success:
Supplying small unmanned aircraft systems requires rigorous compliance. With the help of the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County and the city of Simi Valley, AeroVironment was able to get lean.
Leading the Way
AeroVironment is a technology solutions provider of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and electric transportation solutions. The Simi Valley company’s electric-powered, hand-launched unmanned aircraft systems generate and process data to deliver powerful insight to people engaged in military, public safety and commercial activities worldwide. AeroVironment’s electric transportation solutions include a comprehensive suite of electric vehicle (EV) charging systems.
Being the leading supplier of small unmanned aircraft systems to the United States government requires rigorous compliance with export regulations. Through the city’s outreach efforts to businesses and support of the EDC-VC and its Small Business Development Center, AeroVironment was able to participate in lean process improvement and export compliance training.
Accessing Lean Training
More than 60 employees participated in lean trainings, which encompassed, product sell-off process, logistics material flow and other key processes.
The training helped employees learn new skills, improve gaps in processes, improve efficiency, streamline processes and reduce cycle times by identifying and implementing information technology and other solutions.
AeroVironment is now seeing higher production volumes over shorter periods, reduced lead time for product sell-off and consistently achieves repair turnaround time commitments for customer equipment.
Export Compliance Training
SBDC and AeroVironment developed a series of export compliance program trainings for employees, from general to intensive trainings for employees whose roles were intimately involved in export processes.
“The training program that the SBDC trainers helped develop and deliver provided great value to AeroVironment and substantially strengthened its compliance program by increasing employee understanding of export laws and regulations and how those requirements impacted their roles at the company,” said Shawn Webb, director of operations at AeroVironment.
