An-148 – Retaining Industrial Capacity

Ukrainian company Antonov, formerly a powerhouse of Soviet aviation industry, has recently launched its new An-148 regional passenger jet model. The technical details of the jet should be better left to specialists, while the aspects of the industrial cluster management are of interest from a knowledge-management prospective.

During the planning, development and production of An-148 many problems emerged with the broken links in supply chain stemming from Soviet times. Many enterprises were not operational anymore, most have long been privatised, Russian companies are now abroad etc. Some of the lost ground was regained, and as a result a new model An-148 emerged. But just a quick look on the site of Antonov gives a fairly good idea that the production methods are quite old and there is not a single sight of any online platforms for suppliers unlike what Airbus provides at its site. It leads to certain observations:

1. Rebuilding and creating supply chains on new terms - ability to forge back together broken supply chains to build an odd couple of jets is commendable but it will bring better results if new innovative methods of managing suppliers will be introduced, with locally developed IT solutions.
2. Antonov could and should rally suppliers, individual specialists and those interested in aviation technologies around its web site. Developing communities of practice, knowledge databanks, conducting competitions and engaging in constant exchange of information, at least in Russian speaking Internet audience, could strengthen role of the company as an emerging pole of reference in aviation industry.
3. Using knowledge as a competitive advantage – Airbus and Boing, two giants of the worlds aviation industry, are making inroads in the former USSR aviation industry with the strategic alliances and subcontracting (Russia recently courting for EADS stake). Keeping focus on knowledge gained during exploitation of new An models in countries of former USSR could slowly strengthen position of Antonov as a company. Ukraine, as any CEE country outside Russia, is in desperate need of national champions. Only by utilizing exclusive knowledge smartly, Antonov stands a chance to transform itself to such a champion on the back of the strongest growth in the region in years.