SEKISUI Aerospace, a leading manufacturer of advanced composite materials for the aerospace industry, has built a strong reputation based on its commitment to innovation. As the aerospace sector is driven by cutting-edge technology and solutions, SEKISUI’s dedication to fostering a culture of innovation allows it to stay ahead of the competition and contribute to the advancement of the industry as a whole. This article explores the company’s approach to innovation, its benefits, and the role it plays in the organization’s success.

The Culture of Innovation at SEKISUI Aerospace 

SEKISUI Aerospace’s commitment to innovation lies at the core of its business strategy. The company recognizes that by embracing innovation, it can continuously improve its products, processes, and overall market position. Key elements of SEKISUI Aerospace’s innovative culture include open communication, employee engagement, and investment in research and development.

Andrea Dorr, senior vice president of business development, emphasizes the importance of a diverse and engaged workforce in driving innovation: “Composites are our passion. But the secret to a great organization is the leadership, culture, and the diversity of the team. Diversity creates innovation. SEKISUI focuses on bringing together people with diversity of thought, backgrounds, and experiences.”

The company’s leadership plays a critical role in fostering a culture of innovation by actively supporting and encouraging employees to generate and collaborate on innovative aerospace composite solutions. This focus on collaboration extends beyond individual teams, with SEKISUI promoting cross-functional cooperation on projects and initiatives to break down silos and encourage diverse perspectives.

Benefits of an Innovative Culture 

Embracing innovation has provided SEKISUI Aerospace with numerous advantages, including increased efficiency, the development of better products, and a stronger market position. One notable example of a successful innovation at SEKISUI is the implementation of RFID technology for tracking shipments and work orders. This technology has significantly improved operational efficiency, on-time delivery, and overall customer experience.

Matea Osojnik, senior director of business development – new technology, highlights the impact of this innovation: “At the height of the global pandemic and aerospace downturn, SEKISUI embarked on a journey to bring the vision for a ‘visual factory’ to life to advance our operations and leap ahead of the competition.” The Visual Factory Program brought together users and vendors to empathetically design, test, and deploy an RFID application that directly targets supervisor pain points in operations’ planning and organization.

By staying at the forefront of innovation, SEKISUI Aerospace can respond quickly to market changes and capitalize on emerging opportunities. The company’s commitment to exploring new materials, processes, and technologies enables it to create advanced composite solutions that address the evolving needs of the aerospace industry.

Furthermore, a culture of innovation helps attract top talent, as professionals are drawn to organizations where they can contribute to cutting-edge projects and work alongside like-minded individuals. This influx of skilled professionals further fuels the company’s growth and success. Additionally, SEKISUI’s focus on cross-functional collaboration creates a work environment that encourages employees to share ideas, learn from one another, and work together to solve complex challenges.

Limitless Possibilities

SEKISUI Aerospace’s commitment to cultivating a culture of innovation has been instrumental in its success and growth in the aerospace sector. By prioritizing open communication, employee engagement, and investment in research and development, the company has managed to stay ahead of the competition and contribute to the advancement of the industry. As SEKISUI Aerospace continues to explore new opportunities and push the boundaries of what’s possible with composite materials, its innovative spirit will undoubtedly remain a driving force behind its achievements. As Andrea Dorr aptly states, “In a culture of diversity and innovation, the possibilities are truly limitless.”

Celebrating Innovation

The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Cluster (PNAC) is dedicated to innovation in aerospace manufacturing in the PNW region. It is a formalized, corporate industry-led, member-based initiative that includes partners from five economic segments. Partners work together to drive innovation, overcome barriers, access new market opportunities, and attract talent and capital via an agreed-upon portfolio of projects.

For more than 100 years, the aerospace ecosystem has been building aircraft in the Pacific Northwest. Today, with more than 100,000 employed in the industry and thousands more from companies supporting aerospace manufacturing around the region, the Pacific Northwest is at the forefront of aerospace innovation when it comes to cutting edge aerospace composites, avionics, and alternative fuels. As part of our mission, we want to highlight companies like SEKISUI Aerospace that exemplify the spirit, legacy, and practice of innovation. Reach out to us at pnac@pnaa.net to share your story of aerospace innovation!