Lockheed Martin, Sciaky Partner in DoD Mentor-Protégé Program

The DoD Mentor-Protégé Program is the pre-eminent program within the Federal government for the transformation of a small business firm with high potential to a firm able to perform well as a prime contractor or subcontractor.

On April 12, Lockheed Martin (Bethesda, MD) joined Sciaky, Inc. (Chicago, IL) at a ceremony highlighting establishment of a U.S. Department of Defense Mentor-Protégé agreement between the two companies. “Lockheed Martin Aeronautics selected Sciaky to become a protégé company because of their outstanding quality, delivery and service attitude,” said Tom Simmons, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. vice president of supply chain management. “Through this partnership, we will mentor Sciaky in the development of their Electron Beam Direct Manufacturing capability with the expectation that we can eventually apply this technology for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, our nation’s largest and most important defense program.”

“Sciaky is very proud to be a partner with Lockheed Martin in the DoD’s Mentor-Protégé Program,” said Mike Riesen, general manager of Sciaky. “This agreement aligns with Sciaky’s long term strategic goals of improving supply chain efficiency and deploying cutting edge technology to support efficient aerospace manufacturing.”

The DoD Mentor-Protégé Program is the pre-eminent program within the Federal government for the transformation of a small business firm with high potential to a firm able to perform well as a prime contractor or subcontractor. Established in 1991, the program helps small disadvantaged businesses (protégés) compete for prime and subcontract awards by partnering with large companies (mentors) under individual, project-based agreements.

The program is a way to share best practices, and enhance skill sets, technology and opportunities for small businesses. During the mentor-protégé relationship, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics will assist and guide Sciaky in the further development and refinement of the manufacturing and management processes needed to better serve its key aerospace, defense and commercial markets.

Officials attending the ceremony included Bedford Park Mayor Dave Brady; Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan; State Senator Steven Landek; Paul Simpkins, DoD assistant director and program manager of the mentor-protégé program; and other local government officials. Sciaky was represented by Mike Riesen, general manager; and Scott Phillips, president.  Hosting the ceremony were Lockheed Martin’s Steve O’Bryan, vice president of F-35 program integration; and Tom Simmons, vice president of supply chain management.

Sciaky, Inc., a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owner Small Business and subsidiary of Phillips Service Industries, is a leading provider of advanced welding systems – for electron beam, advanced arc and resistance welding technologies – and a wide range of contract welding services to the aerospace, defense, automotive, medical and other manufacturing industries. Established in 1939, Sciaky’s state-of-the-art equipment meets rigid military specifications to manufacture items such as airframes, landing gear, jet engines, guided missiles and vehicle parts. Sciaky’s exclusive Direct Manufacturing process, which combines computer-aided design, additive manufacturing principles and electron beam welding technology, is the only large-scale, fully-programmable means of achieving near net-shape parts, allowing manufacturers to save money and boost productivity over traditional prototyping processes. www.sciaky.com

Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 123,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion. www.lockheedmartin.com