Is Aerospace Consolidation a Bad Thing, or Just a Thing?

  The aerospace and aviation industries are changing as result of consolidation. Driven by need and the demands of large OEM’s, Rockwell Collins, UTC, B/E Aerospace, Esterline, Embraer and Bombardier and others have taken some dramatic steps to ensure shareholder value. Where does this leave the little guy? Is he sunk, or is there room for entrepreneurial spirit? How does he compete if he’s, defacto, competing against his customer? In a quick 20 minutes, my good friend Matt Johnson and I discuss the coming changes that smaller players will face.      If Boeing succeeds, it will change the industry. –Craig Picken   Takeaways Boeing’s move into “Global Services” means they are now competing against their former suppliers. But $60 Billion is a BIG number.  If successful, Boeing will transform an entire industry.   Innovation in the industry is alive and well. And, it’s coming from smaller, more versatile players with quick reaction times. Don’t ignore them.   Smaller companies need to find strong players who can multi-task. The successful “big company” executive doesn’t necessarily bring the right skills to a start-up.   Learn More About Your Host: Co-founder and Managing Partner for Northstar Group, Craig is focused on recruiting senior level leadership, sales and operations executives for some of the most prominent companies in the aviation and aerospace industry. Clients include well known aircraft OEM’s, aircraft operators, leasing / financial organizations, and Maintenance / Repair / Overhaul (MRO) providers.   Since 2009 Craig has personally concluded more than 150 executive searches in a variety of disciplines. As the only executive recruiter who has flown airplanes, sold airplanes AND run a business, Craig is uniquely positioned to build deep, lasting relationships with both executives and the boards and stakeholders they serve. This allows him to use a detailed, disciplined process that does more than pair the ideal candidate with the perfect opportunity, and hit the business goals of the companies he serves.