News Review: Ferra to build Super Hornet pedals | ADM Dec 2011 / Jan 2012

Boeing has kept a small but important package of Super Hornet manufacturing work in Australia. Melbourne firm Production Parts had been manufacturing rudder pedal kits for the Super Hornet as part of Boeing’s global supply chain, but went into receivership in August.

Boeing has now signed a contract with Brisbane company Ferra Engineering to manufacture the rudder pedal kits. Under the contract Ferra Engineering will produce the remaining kits that Production Parts were contracted to produce as well as 123 additional kits as part of the Super Hornet program. 

“This is a good result and further cements Boeing’s commitment to working with the Australian defence industry,” defence materiel minister Jason Clare said. “This is more evidence the Federal Government’s Global Supply Chain Program is getting results.

Boeing’s specialist Office of Australian Industry Capability, funded by the Government’s Global Supply Chain Program was the driving force behind keeping this work in Australia, Clare said.

“When it comes to working with Australian SMEs, Boeing is ahead of the game, he added. “In the past four years, 24 Australian companies have won 101 contracts worth $256 million from Boeing.”