Goodrich Case Study

In the autumn of 1999, QinetiQ was awarded a major contract, in the face of strong commercial competition, for the provision of a range of technical managed services in support of seven sites throughout the UK operated by Goodrich (formerly TRW Aeronautical Systems).

During the first year of the support programme, we took over the entirety of Goodrich's equipment calibration and support function. This included the management of all existing equipment calibration, repair and maintenance sub-contracts and the on-site management of Goodrich's calibration facilities at their Huyton, Wolverhampton, Shaftmoor Lane, Coventry, York Road, Pitstone and Marston Green sites.

By introducing a range of bespoke management tools and improved on-site working practices, we have delivered in excess of 6% cost savings, year on year, since the start of the contract.

These targets and baseline costs were defined in the original service contract. This translates into £850k pa savings on an activity that was costing Goodrich over £3.3M pa prior to the contract: an overall cost saving of more than 25%.

We agreed with the customer to invoke a phased programme of activities outsourcing and sub-contract novation at the very start of the programme. This effectively de-risked the change management process and ensured continuity of support to Goodrich’s core manufacturing operations.

The Goodrich contract involved some 40 Goodrich laboratory staff being transferred into our business under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings - Protection of Employment). These transfers took place on a series of planned dates throughout the first year following QinetiQ, customer and Trades Union consultation during the final stages of the contract negotiations.