Category: Aviation & Aerospace

How Aerospace Companies Benefit from Hiring a Program Manager in the U.S. Top Questions to Ask Yourself

Posted on August 20, 2019

By Greg Ellis
HPM Vice President, Program Development

Do you understand U.S. and local building codes and regulations for permitting? Designed to specify minimum requirements related to health, safety and welfare of building occupants, U.S. and local building codes and regulations for permitting are complex. Navigating these requirements through careful planning can help you avoid common pitfalls on your capital projects.

Do you have a keen understanding of the factors that will drive your budget such as labor and materials? As the market booms, U.S. labor forces remain stretched, forcing the cost of labor to increase. The same is true with materials pricing, as across the board we are seeing a rise in the cost of materials such as steel. Knowing the market trends and local workforce can help you mitigate the impacts to your budget and realize success.

Do you keep up with U.S. construction industry trends and understand new innovations and solutions available? As we see material and labor costs rising, new innovative solutions like AI/machine learning or virtual reality/augmentation are being developed to offset the strain on workforce and budget. Keeping up with the trends and knowing what works is important to maximizing your return on investment.

Do you have an advocate that can be your boots-on-the-ground resource? There is great value in engaging a partner who understands the local design and construction community and also the aerospace industry to act as a facilitator throughout the project, removing any barriers that may come between you and success.

Do you understand the various delivery models? Knowing your options (CM-at-Risk, Design Build, Integrated Project Delivery, etc.) and choosing the one best suited for the way you do business is paramount to managing your risk and creating a cohesive team approach.

Are you your own worst enemy? Do you have time to take on a capital project and manage the day-to-day details? Some firms recognize that they have too many distractions and need help them adopting a speed-to-market mentality. Working with a program manager to study the way you work, help you manage decision-making efficiently through the chain of command, and put pressure at given points ensures you will meet your goals and mitigate your risk in the process.

Greg is the Vice President of Program Development at HPM. He oversees and manages responsibilities for the preconstruction and program development staff on all HPM assignments. His teams’ duties include coordination of design management, estimating, scheduling and document reviews from the programming phases through to construction contract award. Greg maintains close interaction with design teams and HPM teams to ensure a smooth transition from preconstruction to construction.

Four Alabama Firms To Work On New Airbus 220 Assembly Line

Posted on April 5, 2019

HPM has announced the selection of several design-build teams for the construction of the Airbus 220 assembly line in Mobile, Alabama.

BL Harbert International of Birmingham teamed with the design firm FSB and have been selected for Package 3 of the project, which consists of design-build services for four additional hangar bays.

The package was awarded in November 2018 and is targeted for completion in the third quarter of 2019.

“BL Harbert International is honored to continue our relationship with Airbus on this expansion,” said Jeremy Pipkin, Vice President of BL Harbert International. “It is a privilege to play a part in the immense impact that Airbus is having on the local and state economy.”

H.O. Weaver and Sons of Mobile has been awarded the Enabling Works Package of preparations to make a building site ready for construction. It covers activities from site preparation, creation of access routes, and the installation of facilities like security fencing, ramps, and signage placement.

The package was awarded in November 2018, and the project is targeted for completion in early 2019.

Birmingham-based Brasfield & Gorrie teamed with Huntsville-based design firm BRPH has been selected for Package 1 of the project, which consists of design-build services for the building of the new A220 final assembly line and existing logistic center expansion.

“Brasfield & Gorrie is honored and excited to continue its relationship with Airbus, HPM/Mott MacDonald, Mobile Airport Authority, and the City of Mobile by building the new A220 Final Assembly Line,” said Regional Vice President and Division Manager John Strid. “Having built multiple projects at the Brookley Aeroplex, including the first Airbus Final Assembly Line, we are able to bring considerable experience to the construction of this important facility.”

The package was awarded in late 2018, and the project is targeted for completion in mid-2020. “Our intent is to implement and execute a fast-track delivery process to ensure the goals of this project are met,” said HPM Vice President of Program Development Greg Ellis. “We’re confident these teams have the industry expertise and resources necessary to meet the goals of Airbus and the A220 project as a whole.”

HPM, which has offices in Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and Florida, is responsible for managing all aspects of the design and construction of the new facility, as well as expansion of Airbus’ current facilities to accommodate increased A320 family production on the site. HPM was involved in the construction of the Airbus Engineering Center in Mobile over a decade ago and managed construction of the A320 production facilities, completed in 2015.

HPM continues to work with its long-time industry partner, Mott McDonald, providing program management services for the A220, as both firms did for the A320 campus.

HPM Chosen to Lead Boom Supersonic’s First Manufacturing Facility

Posted on March 28, 2019

Collaboration and Partnership
HPM was recently selected to lead the site selection process, planning, design and construction of Boom Supersonic’s first manufacturing facility in the US and is currently collaborating with Boom’s internal project team to recruit all project team members and providers. Also in partnership with Site Selection Group (SSG), we are developing and implementing the optimal location strategy for Boom’s manufacturing operations.

“Together with our strategic partner, SSG, HPM is proud to work with Boom as it develops the vision to bring supersonic flight back to the global commercial passenger market and lead the way to bring new and advanced manufacturing jobs to its facility,” said Mike Lanier, HPM president.

He continued, “Boom’s vision is to remove the barriers to experiencing the planet: time, money and hassle, and Overture is a step in that direction. With our experience in the aerospace industry, we were a top choice to lead Boom through the site selection process, and we couldn’t be more excited.”

A Revolution in Aviation and Aerospace Technology
Overture, a Mach-2.2 supersonic commercial airliner, is anticipated to serve hundreds of transoceanic routes. The airliner will make the world dramatically more accessible with its travel speeds more than twice as fast as subsonic aircraft. Currently, Boom is assembling XB-1, a Mach-2.2 supersonic demonstrator aircraft. The data collected from XB-1 test flights will prove key technologies in-flight for safe, efficient supersonic travel, as well as help refine the design of Overture. Passenger service is anticipated to begin in the mid-2020s.

Boom Supersonic, based in Denver, Colorado, is known for building the history’s fastest supersonic airliner. In March, they announced that HPM, with its expertise in managing capital building programs, has been selected to lead its one-of-a-kind program to help locate, plan, design and build its first manufacturing facility in the United States.

5 Aviation and Aerospace Trends to Look for in 2019 and Beyond

Posted on January 8, 2019

The aerospace industry has always been a source of innovation, whether it’s technical developments that later make it into the hands of consumers or proactive responses to economic trends that will soon be felt by the rest of the world. Here are a few things to look forward to in the coming years.

The Power of Data. Big Data is having a growing influence on the aviation industry, informing the way businesses interact with their customers and customers’ expectations of the businesses with which they interact. Analytics allow manufacturers to better manage resources and decrease time to market, and allow airlines to better understand customers and predict their behavior. Consumers, on the other hand, have become accustomed to sites and apps that can find them the best travel dates, ticket prices and even seats with the click of a button, and they expect nothing less than perfect service from the companies with which they interact.

New Material. Use of carbon fiber and composites in aerospace has been on the rise as a lightweight — and thus more fuel-efficient — alternative to metals like steel and iron. Most of that rise has been in widebody jets, though — production rates and material costs have reduced the cost benefit of composites in narrow-body aircraft. But the passage of time has started to shift popular opinion. Manufacturers are beginning to see significant savings in maintenance and replacement costs for carbon fiber components, making it far more appealing to expand adoption across the entire fleet.

Thinking Small. With airlines bracing for a period of global economic uncertainty, right-sizing aircraft and routes is becoming a priority. Intra-regional routes are expected to grow, many served by 100- to 150-seat planes. As airlines refresh their aging fleets, demand for fuel-efficient, cost-efficient, right-sized aircraft can be expected to rise.

Droning On. Drones have moved far beyond the quadcopter toy favored by the coolest kid in the neighborhood. Industries from logistics to farming are finding uses for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Warehouses are monitoring their stock using drones. Farmers are monitoring their fields. Construction companies are mapping build sites and monitoring progress. The drone has replaced the crane and the helicopter as a source of aerial shots in the film industry. The market for piloted aircraft will never wane, of course, but expect to see demand for UAVs rising as new industries discover new uses.

Working Together. The aerospace industry in the U.S. contributes greatly to both the domestic and global economy—it provides hundreds of thousands of jobs inside the country and more than a third of global aerospace component exports. Most of these come through the two big aircraft manufacturers in the U.S., and smaller companies are beginning to form partnerships to break into the global market with components for commercial and military aircraft and MRO services.

HPM is in the business of leading. For some clients, this may mean managing an already-established, multi-million dollar capital building program. For others, it could mean overseeing a single project from site selection through owner occupancy. No matter the scope of our involvement or at what point you find yourself in the building process, HPM exists to lead our clients to success and provide value in everything we do.

We offer services such as:

Capital Bond Program Management
Preconstruction Services
Construction Contract Negotiations
Aerospace & Airport Program Management
Aerospace & Airport Project Management
Engineering Procurement Project Management
Integrated Project Delivery
Master Planning
Site Selection
Construction Auditing
Captital Expenditure Management
Design Team Procurement
Project Management
Owner’s Representative

HPM, Airbus continue partnership with Mobile’s new A220 facility

Posted on December 30, 2018

HPM is once again helping Airbus, an international pioneer in the aerosapce industry, expand their footprint in Mobile, Alabama. Following the success of the A320 project, HPM is continuing its partnership with Airbus as the program manager for the design and construction of its newest assembly line at the Brookley Aeroplex.

The new facility will build A220s, which are smaller jetliners designed and developed by Canadian company Bombardier as the C Series, and later rebranded after Airbus and Bombardier formed a partnership to produce them.

Florent Massou, head of the A220 Program, said the selection of HPM was “great news and an important next-step in bringing A220 production to the U.S. for our U.S.-based customers. We are on track to deliver our first aircraft from Mobile in 2020.”

“Clear expectations are set up with designers and contractors up front, and our team works alongside Airbus to ensure all parties follow through with all the tasks, both large and small, that have to be undertaken each step of the way to achieve the target at the end,” said Greg Ellis, HPM’s Vice President of Program Development.

HPM/Airbus Project Team at the A220 FAL Groundbreaking (Jan. 16, 2019)

As project manager for the A220 facility construction, HPM will manage all aspects of its design and construction, which is slated to begin next year. They will also oversee the expansion of the current Airbus facilities to accommodate increased production, which is already underway.

“Our continued commitment to Airbus and Mobile has expanded significantly in the last decade, and we look forward to again representing our client in Alabama’s growing aerospace sector,” said HPM President Mike Lanier.

HPM Listed in Top 50 on ENR’s Program Management Firm List

Posted on July 21, 2018

HPM made the top 50 on Engineering News Record’s program management firms list for the third year in a row.

The company came in at No. 42 based on revenue and market data for the past year. HPM was also listed in the Top 100 construction management-for-fee firms list, ranking No. 66.

“HPM is in the business of leading, and this reinforces the outstanding performance and effort of each and every HPM employee,” said President Mike Lanier. “We are so appreciative that our clients continue to trust us to represent them by leading their capital building programs.”

HPM teams, located throughout the United States, continue to manage programs and projects in education, industrial and manufacturing, public and private capital investment centered around hospitality and retail, performance and sports venues, and aerospace and automotive. Some sample projects over the past year include:
– The completion of Texas Christian University’s Worth Hills Greek Village Phase 5 Residence Halls
– The ST Aerospace hangar in Penscalosa
– Landry’s The Post Oak, a mixed-use developement in Houston

According to ENR, the U.S. market for professional services continues to grow, and firms are assisting with planning, financing, risk management, and project delivery methodology.

HPM’s Presence Grows at the 2018 International Airshow

Posted on July 1, 2018

HPM serves an ever-growing slate of interests within the aviation and aerospace industry — airlines, aircraft manufacturers, airports, maintenance-repair-overhaul (MRO) companies and space and defense firms, as well as local and state governments interested in drawing business and industry to the US. Those growing interests require a growing HPM contingent to represent them. That’s why, for the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) this summer, Ryan Austin, Chief Operating Officer, and Greg Ellis, Vice President of Program Development, joined the delegation which has established a significant presence for HPM over the years.

L to R: Jay Daily, Andi Sims, Mike Lanier, Ryan Austin, Greg Ellis in London

Mike Lanier, President, Jay Daily, Vice President of Business Development, and Andi Sims, Director of Marketing, have attended FIA for several years and forged a reputation for HPM within the industry through participation and sponsorship of many of the airshow’s events and activities. FIA is one of the largest airshows in the world and features more than 1,500 exhibitors across 750,000 square feet of exhibition space and attracting more than 200,000 attendees from all over the world.

But with the extensive preparation HPM goes through before such a grand-scale trade show, Greg and Ryan were ready for anything that was thrown at them. “Nothing surprised me about the way it played out, because we had met every couple of weeks leading up to the trip,” Ryan said. “I felt like we had prepared well and knew what to expect.”

What he and Greg expected, and got, was 16-hour days of client meetings, networking, events and lots of walking. “I think I averaged walking nine miles a day,” Ryan said. “In a suit.”

Greg added, “It was all worthwhile because it allowed us to better connect with clients and others in the aviation industry. We deepened a lot of the client relationships that had initially been made through Mike, Jay, and Andi.” He said, “Ryan and I had an opportunity to spend some time with those people, make more contacts for HPM, and really see how much HPM has been integrated into the airshow and the industry itself. HPM has made connections at some of the highest levels in aerospace and within organizations which help us make further contacts.”

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey speaks in the “Made in Alabama” booth at the 2018 Farnborough International Air Show

“The first year Jay went to Farnborough by himself, and he was literally walking the halls and making connections,” Ryan said. “To go from there to hosting multiple governors and CEOs at exclusive events was quite a significant development.”

CONTACTS AND CONNECTIONS
“HPM has a unique perspective on the aerospace and aviation community by serving as a leader of the planning, design and construction of facilities,” said Mike. “We do this for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), MROs, tier-one suppliers, airports, airlines, space and defense — we’re touching every sector. The airshow serves as a singular opportunity to make contact with some of HPM’s clients, including international clients whom we rarely see face to face.”

Also important for HPM is helping represent Alabama’s cities, counties and the State of Alabama by attracting business and industry to our communities. “Being on that front end, being able to provide real-time estimates and schedules for facilities that will be producing aircraft and materials, it’s important that we’re there to help them in the recruiting process,” Mike said.

“We go to support our current clients — some of which are local and state governments,” Mike said. “We go to make those personal touches, we check in to make sure their projects are moving forward, and we look for further opportunities to tell our story.”

Mike Lanier
President
205.266.2993
lanier@hpmleadership.com

Ryan Austin
Chief Operations Officer
205.516.1143
raustin@hpmleadership.com

Jay Daily
Vice President, Business Development
205.937.6433
jdaily@hpmleadership.com

Greg Ellis
Vice President, Program Development
205.601.0650
gellis@hpmleadership.com

Andi Sims
Director of Marketing
205.213.7955
asims@hpmleadership.com

5 Tips for Attending the 2018 International Airshow

Posted on June 1, 2018

The Farnborough International Airshow is a great opportunity to see the latest technological innovations in the aerospace industry and interact with industry professionals and economic and business delegations from around the world. Here are five tips for making your trip to the show enjoyable and successful.

The first five days of the show — Monday, July 16, through Friday, July 20 — are open to trade visitors only and will require special passes. Attendees of the Cargo Village Conference will need their own separate pass, which will also provide access to the full show Monday through Wednesday.
This year’s show will feature more than 1,500 exhibitors spread across 70,000 square meters of exhibition space, so comfort is key. Travel light, and wear or bring comfortable shoes.
Each hall at the show will have an indoor café and an outdoor food court, and the Skyview Restaurant in Hall 1 will offer a more formal lunch atmosphere. (Reservations are recommended for dining at the Skyview.) Most of them accept credit cards, but if you find yourself in need of pounds, banking and foreign exchange facilities and ATMS are available on site.
Plan for at least a two-hour commute from London if you’re driving, or one hour if you’re coming by train. A free shuttle is available to and from the show, serving the free parking lot and three nearby train stations. The trade show floor is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday and 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for the rest of the show.
Use the Farnborough International Airshow mobile app to find exhibitor information and event schedules, locate on-site services and organize your itinerary. The app is available for free download from the Apple and Google Play stores.

If you’d like to meet with an HPM team representative while at the Farnborough International Airshow, call or email Mike, Jay or Andi. We look forward to seeing you there.

Mike Lanier
President
205.266.2993
lanier@hpmleadership.com

Jay Daily
VP Business Development
205.937.6433
jdaily@hpmleadership.com

Andi Sims
Director of Marketing
205.213.7955
asims@hpmleadership.com

Ryan Austin
Chief Operations Officer
205.516.1143
raustin@hpmleadership.com

Greg Ellis
VP, Program Development
205.601.0650
gellis@hpmleadership.com

Partnering with the Giants in Aerospace

Posted on May 30, 2018

HPM’s relationship with Airbus began a decade ago with our involvement in the construction of the Airbus Engineering Center. Then, when HPM began work with Airbus to build the A320 Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Mobile’s Brookley Aeroplex in 2015, the aerospace giant deemed HPM “the local experts.” Our knowledge of the community and both state and federal laws plus the relationships cultivated with local contractors set us apart from other companies who vied for the project.

HPM completed the A320 FAL project in 2015 —four months early and nearly 7 percent below budget. The assembly line and associated facility produces and delivers approximately four aircraft per month with the first Mobile-assembled aircraft celebrated in April 2016.

“It was an ambitious timeline, no doubt — I think many wondered if it was truly possible. HPM assembled a fantastic team that developed and executed the plan that led to the facility being completed not just on time, but ahead of schedule,” said Jared Scheeter, HPM Program Executive. “We hired the right designers and contractors to take the project from a vision to a reality and kept everyone focused on the mission from start to finish.”

As Airbus’ first manufacturing facility in North America, the $600 million A320 project needed a quick turnaround. It brought its fair share of unique challenges to the table — because of airplane construction standards, the facility was designed and built using the metric system, even though HPM usually operates on the U.S.-standard imperial system of measurement. And HPM wasn’t just managing the Final Assembly Line project. They also oversaw the design and construction of the Final Phase/Flightline Hangar, a service building, the Flightline Delivery Center, a logistics center, the Transshipment Hangar, a main gate, and the gauging canopy, as well as an off-site logistics building. HPM was also responsible for changing the associated infrastructure. Roads had to be widened and reinforced to accommodate haul routes to truck in major prefabricated airplane parts such as fuselage and nose sections.

“Our efforts were closely coordinated with the design team to ensure dimensions and required clearances were properly considered ahead of the vehicle being fabricated,” Scheeter said. “I still remember the first parts being delivered through a parade of cheering Mobilians standing along the haul route.”

http://www.madeinalabama.com/2015/05/airbus-ships-first-major-components-to-alabama-factory/

“All buildings on the A320 facility also earned LEED Silver status, with one earning LEED Gold,” Scheeter said. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) provides a framework to create efficient and cost-saving green buildings, and certification ensures electricity cost savings, lower carbon emissions and healthier environments for the places people live, learn, work and play. LEED Silver is the second tier of the rating system. Gold is third. HPM worked alongside teams from Europe, Asia and North America to determine the best ways to both meet the owners’ facility needs while also achieving LEED Silver status, which is uncommon for the region and even less so in the industrial and manufacturing industry.

In addition to LEED certification, the A320 FAL was named the 2015 Project of the Year by the Mobile Area Council of Engineers, as well as the 2015 Quality Pavement Award from the Alabama Asphalt Pavement Association. “All things considered, our first project was a resounding success made possible by the tireless efforts of many individuals,” echoed Scheeter. “A major factor in this success was the partnership and teamwork that developed between our team and Airbus. We quickly broke through cultural and language barriers to meld together into one incredible team that accomplished something great.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4L3RXMGqDI

HPM Attends the 2018 International Airshow

Posted on May 21, 2018

Beginning Monday, July 16, HPM will be represented at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow by President Mike Lanier, Vice President Jay Daily and Marketing Director Andi Sims.

The biennial Farnborough International Airshow — the second largest of such shows in the world — brings together aerospace industry professionals, economic and business development recruiters, and city, state and national delegations from around the globe. More than 1,500 exhibitors from 52 countries will be represented in this year’s trade show exhibition, showcasing their products and capabilities to attendees from nearly 100 countries.

HPM, which oversaw the successful design and construction of the first Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility, as well as many other manufacturing and MRO facilities for national and international clients, stands perfectly poised to assist aerospace companies looking to establish or expand a presence in the U.S. Plus, with a portfolio of experience rooted in the public sector, HPM serves as an ideal partner for state and local government recruiting business and industry to their areas.

If you’d like to meet with an HPM team representative at the Farnborough Airshow, call or email Mike, Jay or Andi.

Mike Lanier
President
205.266.2993
lanier@hpmleadership.com

Jay Daily
VP Business Development
205.937.6433
jdaily@hpmleadership.com

Andi Sims
Director of Marketing
205.213.7955
asims@hpmleadership.com

Ryan Austin
Chief Operations Officer
205.516.1143
raustin@hpmleadership.com

Greg Ellis
VP, Program Development
205.601.0650
gellis@hpmleadership.com

Category: Aviation & Aerospace

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