As airframers pursue aggressive aircraft production rates, Diehl Aviation is implementing a cluster of measures to make its supply chain more resilient and ensure it is prepared for the ramp up.

The nose-to-tail Tier 1 supplier and integrator is broadening its sourcing strategies by adopting “multiple sources” for select key components as well as common standards.

It is also tightening coordination with suppliers under a so-called T.R.U.S.T. initiative, which sees both sides identify supply-chain risks and improvement opportunities, and put them into practice.

“The objective is to identify potential supply risks at an early stage, secure critical capacities and materials, and improve delivery performance across the supply chain,” says the Laupheim, Germany-headquartered firm, whose portfolio encompasses passenger-facing solutions like aircraft lavatories, overhead bins, cabin lining and LED lighting as well as underlying systems for water, ducting, and air management.

In turn, it aims to create “greater transparency and predictability” throughout the industrial network.

Last week, during a media briefing to discuss Airbus’ 2026 Global Services Forecast, Airbus executives highlighted the fragility of the supply chain and said bottlenecks are still prevalent. Coupled with “tensions around geopolitics,” this is causing “logistic flows disruptions” and impacting airline customers, the European airframer said.

The issue is especially critical given that aircraft production rates at Airbus, and indeed across major OEMs, continue to increase.

Significant deliverables

Diehl and its predecessor organizations have long been part of Airbus’ growth story, and today provides big work packages for all Airbus programs.

For the A320 Family alone, Airbus is targeting a production capability of 70-75 aircraft per month by the end of 2027.

Diehl is also a key supplier to Embraer, which is ramping E2 production. Additionally, the company supplies Boeing with cabin lighting products for commercial aircraft, including the Boeing 787 family, as well as cabin lining packages and supporting sub-structures for the 787-10 variant. The U.S. airframer is scaling production on the Dreamliner.

“A successful ramp-up requires more than additional capacity. Our supply chain must be able to scale in line with our customers’ requirements while maintaining delivery reliability, quality, and competitiveness. That is why we are working closely with our suppliers to identify risks early, secure critical capacity and strengthen supply-chain resilience,” Diehl Aviation CEO Dr. Jörg Schuler said in a statement after the firm hosted more than 100 strategic suppliers as part of its annual Supplier Day event.

Diehl also recognized six suppliers for outstanding performance and cooperation — St. Elisabeth-Stiftung, Robert Hofmann GmbH, Pantel Elektronik AG, KOWE CNC GmbH, Argosy International Inc. and Silnova GmbH.

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