A WESTHOUGHTON company has won public recognition for the work it does for British Aerospace's Military Aircraft Division. Bellhouse Hartwell is one of 60 companies in the Division's Preferred Supplier Process. The joint approach aims for a mutually beneficial partnership which results in everyone improving overall performance in terms of price, delivery, competitiveness and quality and produces a final product which satisfies the customer's needs at an affordable price.

At the inaugural awards ceremony Bellhouse Hartwell was one of only three companies to be recognised as having consistently achieved the standard for the bronze awards.

No supplier has achieved either the silver or gold standard so far.

They need to satisfy agreed performance criteria relating to statistical process control, business assessment and performance measurements.

Mike Rouse, managing director, BAe Military Aircraft Division, said: "The high standards required to qualify for one of these awards means that Bellhouse Hartwell's performance is at the leading edge of supply chain management in the aerospace industry."

Noel Torpey, managing director at Bellhouse Hartwell, said his team was delighted and felt privileged to have won the award.

He said: "We are committed to the continual improvement process and will use the award as a tool to improve our business.

"In addition we believe that the award will help to strengthen and develop our working relationship and the way forward together."

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