DALLAS, DEC. 16, 2002 - Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. recently received an award from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. for having a proactive small business program. Vought was one of three large suppliers to be recognized with a "Subcontractor - Outstanding Small Business Program" award at Lockheed Martin's annual supplier conference held here. A total of 228 companies were eligible to compete for the award.
The awards were judged by representatives of the local Defense Logistics Agency, Small Business Administration and selected organizations from the Fort Worth area. The criteria included demonstrated senior management commitment to small businesses; number of people working small business initiatives; small business outreach program; technical assistance provided to small businesses; rating from the last review/audit of the company's small business program; and dollars/percentages of work subcontracted to small, small disadvantaged and women-own small businesses.
"It's an honor to be recognized by Lockheed Martin for outstanding business practices," said Erich Smith, Vought vice president of Military Programs. "This is the first time we have received an award from Lockheed Martin, and we're proud of it."
Dan Smartis, Vought vice president of Materiel, said, "Our company's commitment to this endeavor is time-honored, and is consistent in its resolve to support government-sponsored socio-economic programs. The reason is not limited to legal compliance, but is based on the important role these firms play in the healthy economic functioning of our country. Reaching out to them to become our suppliers is good business practice for all concerned."
Vought builds the horizontal stabilator for Lockheed Martin's F/A-22 Raptor and the lower wing skins of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Vought also has been selected as the supplier for remanufactured P-3 Orion wings.
Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. (www.voughtaircraft.com) is the world's largest independent supplier of aerostructures. Headquartered in Dallas, the company provides wings, fuselage subassemblies, empennages, nacelles, thrust reversers and other components for prime manufacturers of aircraft. Vought has more than 5,000 employees and annual sales exceeding $1 billion. It has operations in Dallas; Hawthorne, Calif.; Stuart, Fla.; and Milledgeville, Ga. | 
