AAR Earns Nadcap Accreditation for Composites Manufacturing

With it, Clearwater, FL, facility can support all commercial and military products for Tier 1 customers

CLEARWATER, Florida – AAR (NYSE: AIR) announces that its composites manufacturing facility here has earned Nadcap accreditation to fabricate and build composite parts and assemblies for commercial and military markets. The designation represents a milestone for AAR and distinguishes the company as an expert in the field of composites manufacturing capable of meeting the highest industry standards. Nadcap accreditation is a prerequisite for inclusion on the qualified product list for major aircraft OEMs including Boeing’s A10 and 777, Bombardier’s C-series, Sikorsky’s S-92, Gulfstream, UTC-UTAS A320 and Triumph programs.

The qualification follows an audit performed by the Performance Review Institute over the past five months. Satisfying these customer requirements demonstrates AAR’s commitment to quality and opens the door to new business opportunities and expansion of key accounts.

“Acquiring this coveted accreditation in only five months after stating intent to pursue it is a phenomenal feat,” said Daniel J. FitzPatrick, Vice President of Operations – Composites for AAR. “I commend the Clearwater employees for achieving this milestone on the very first attempt.”

Clearwater is the second AAR composites facility to earn Nadcap accreditation. Its Sacramento, CA, composites operation was accredited in September 2010 and re-certified in April 2014 with zero non-compliance findings, FitzPatrick said. “That’s almost unheard of in the industry,” he added.

Nadcap requires annual audits until the first two re-certifications achieve acceptable results. After that, audits are performed every 18 months. Unlike traditional third-party programs, Nadcap approval is granted based upon industry standards and reviewed by key business leaders who serve on the committee.

“Achieving Nadcap accreditation is not easy. It is one of the ways in which the aerospace industry identifies those who excel at manufacturing quality products through superior special processes,” said Joe Pinto, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Performance Review Institute. “PRI is proud to support continual improvement in the aerospace industry by helping companies such as AAR in Clearwater to be successful.”

AAR is a leading one-stop-shop provider of primary and secondary structures, components and assemblies to OEMs and Tier 1 customers.

About Nadcap

Created in 1990 by SAE Inc., Nadcap is administered by the not-for-profit Performance Review Institute. PRI exists to advance the interests of the mobility and related industries through development of performance standards and administration of quality assurance, accreditation and certification programs, as well as related activities for the benefit of industry, government and the general public. PRI works closely with industry to understand their emerging needs and offers customized solutions in response. Learn more at www.pri-network.orgor contact PRI at PRINadcap@sae.org.