Montana Aerospace: Montana Aerospace honored twice by Airbus with prestigious SQIP awards

SQIP Award

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Reinach (pta017/03.07.2025/10:18 UTC+2)

Universal Alloy Corporation (UAC), a division of Montana Aerospace, was recognized last week in Toulouse with two SQIP Awards – Universal Alloy Corporation Europe (UAC Europe) receiving the Accredited Award and Universal Alloy Corporation US (UAC US) receiving the Best Performer Award.

The Airbus SQIP (Supply Chain & Quality Improvement Program) Award recognizes outstanding suppliers who consistently deliver top performance in quality, on-time delivery, and continuous improvement. It is Airbus' highest recognition for supply chain excellence, highlighting partners who actively contribute to competitiveness and innovation.

"We are extremely proud to receive two SQIP Awards from Airbus this year — a clear testament to the dedication, expertise, and outstanding performance of our teams," says Kai Arndt, Co-CEO of Montana Aerospace. "It reflects our growth and our role as a reliable partner to Airbus, offering a one-stop-shop with the highest standards in process efficiency, safety, and quality. Our continuous improvement mindset is what makes us a trusted supplier for all major aerospace platforms.

Strong partnership and long-term excellence

UAC Europe with its production site in Dumbrăvița received the "Accredited Award", marking the seventh SQIP Award for UAC Europe since joining the program and highlighting the strong partnership and continuous improvement efforts shared between UAC Europe and Airbus over many years. The "Accredited Award" is the highest recognition in the Airbus SQIP program, which recognizes consistently outstanding performance for product quality, on-time delivery, continuous improvement and adaptability to product enhancements. The award is not presented every year, but only when a supplier excels.

"Being awarded the "SQIP Accredited Award" by Airbus underscores the exceptional quality and operational excellence our teams deliver every day. It is an important milestone that validates our strong focus on customer requirements and confirms our ability to meet the highest standards in the industry - all while offering a one-stop-shop approach to our customers", adds Brian Weed, CEO of UAC Europe.

Top performance through innovation

At the same time, Universal Alloy Corporation US (UAC US) with its production site in Canton received the "Best Performer Award". The selection criteria focus on suppliers who deliver top performance efficiently for at least 12 months while proactively offering innovative, customized solutions that strengthen Airbus' competitiveness in quality, delivery reliability and industrial capability.

Mike Colt, CEO of UAC US, also emphasizes the significance of this achievement: "Receiving this recognition from Airbus shows the strength of our global footprint and the unified approach. As the global leader in aluminum aerospace extrusions, Universal Alloy Corporation has made a truly impressive rise since its beginnings in 1961. This award highlights our commitment."

Commitment to growth and continuous improvement

Montana Aerospace has been a trusted supplier to Airbus for decades and recently signed a multi-year contract to further expand its support of the A330 program: UAC Europe will supply additional structural components (crossbeams) including attachments for the cabin floor.

As a vertically integrated partner, Montana Aerospace supplies components ranging from structural parts and assemblies to landing gear components and high-lift devices for all major platforms — including the Airbus A320neo and A220 models, which are among the most in-demand aircraft contributing to a projected global need for up to 44,000 new aircraft by 2044, with nearly 80 percent of that demand driven by narrowbody platforms.

In line with its growth strategy, Montana Aerospace has invested over EUR 700 million in recent years to expand its production capacities and technological competencies, significantly strengthening its global position in the aerospace industry — and today holds contracted sales worth more than EUR 7 billion.

This latest recognition from Airbus highlights Montana Aerospace's ongoing commitment to supporting the fast-growing aerospace market with advanced manufacturing solutions and underscores its position as a reliable partner focused on continuous improvement and sustainable growth.

Press photo

SQIP Award Ceremony Toulouse
© Montana Aerospace AG

About Montana Aerospace AG

Montana Aerospace AG is a leading manufacturer of system components and complex assemblies for the aerospace industry, with worldwide engineering and manufacturing operations. The Company has approximately 7,600 highly skilled employees at 22 locations on four continents – designing, developing and producing ground-breaking technologies for tomorrow's aerospace and energy industries made of aluminium, titanium, composite, copper and steel.

About Universal Alloy Corporation

Universal Alloy Corporation (UAC) is a leading global manufacturer and highly integrated producer of
structural components and assemblies for the aerospace industry. Through innovative product
development, excellent service and a worldwide manufacturing network, UAC has established itself as a market leader in the field of highly complex extruded and machined components for structural
construction, such as fuselage and wing components. With modern production facilities on three
continents – North America, Europe and Asia – UAC, a division of Montana Aerospace AG, employs around 4,300 people.

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Emitter:	Montana Aerospace Alzbachstrasse 27 5734 Reinach Switzerland
Contact Person:	Jürgen Beilein
Phone:	+43 664 831 28 41
E-Mail:	communication@montana-aerospace.com
Website:	montana-aerospace.com
ISIN(s):	CH1110425654 (Share)
Stock Exchange(s):	SIX Swiss Exchange