Introduction

The aerospace supply chain is one of the most complex in the world, spanning thousands of suppliers across continents. From engines and avionics to composite materials and fasteners, every aircraft requires precision delivery of thousands of parts on time.

Yet recent years have shown the fragility of this ecosystem. Boeing and Airbus both reported delivery delays of over 20% in 2023–24 due to supplier disruptions.

Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud strengthens aerospace supply chains by providing end-to-end visibility, real-time collaboration, and predictive insights, ensuring resilience and reliability.

The Complexity of Aerospace Supply Chains

• Thousands of components per aircraft (jet engines alone have >25,000 parts).
• Globalized production → suppliers in U.S., EU, Asia.
• Strict compliance (FAA, EASA, ITAR).
• High costs of disruption → a single supplier delay can halt production worth billions.

Top Supply Chain Challenges in Aerospace Manufacturing

1. Multi-Tier Global Supplier Networks

• Lack of visibility beyond Tier-1 suppliers.
• Disruptions at Tier-2/Tier-3 levels cascade quickly.

2. Long Lead Times & Component Shortages

• Components like engines and avionics require months of lead time.
• Shortages (e.g., semiconductors) create bottlenecks.

3. Compliance & Traceability Requirements

• Regulators demand end-to-end part traceability.
• Manual systems can’t provide full transparency.

4. Limited Supplier Collaboration

• Suppliers operate in silos, with little real-time communication.
• Disputes arise from mismatched forecasts.

5. Disconnected Systems & Data Silos

• ERP, logistics, and compliance systems often unlinked.
• Lack of a single source of truth delays decisions.

How Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud Strengthens Aerospace Supply Chains

1. Centralized Supplier Agreements

• Forecast demand at the account (agency) level.
• Store contracts and performance terms in Salesforce.
• Provides global visibility into commitments and obligations.

2. Real-Time Demand & Capacity Visibility

• Account-based forecasting extended to suppliers.
• OEMs and Tier-1s can align capacity with real demand.

3. Supplier Collaboration Portals

• Experience Cloud portals allow suppliers to:
  • View OEM commitments
  • Update delivery timelines
  • Access compliance requirements
• Improves transparency and reduces disputes.

4. Automated Compliance & Traceability

• Track part origins and certifications digitally.
• Provide regulators with audit-ready compliance dashboards.

5. ERP & Logistics Integration

• Connects Salesforce with ERP and logistics platforms.
• Provides end-to-end supply chain visibility, from production to shipping.

6. AI-Powered Supply Chain Risk Insights

• Einstein AI predicts:
  • Supplier delivery risks
  • Capacity shortages
  • Geopolitical disruptions
• Alerts OEMs before risks escalate.

Case Study: Aerospace Supply Chain Optimization with Salesforce

An aerospace OEM struggled with:

• • 25% of suppliers missing deadlines.
  • Regulatory fines due to missing traceability reports.

After adopting Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud:

• On-time delivery improved by 30%.
• Compliance reporting time reduced by 50%.
• Supply chain visibility extended beyond Tier-1 to Tier-3 suppliers.

The Future of Aerospace Supply Chain Management

• Blockchain for Traceability → tamper-proof part history.
• Digital Twins for Supply Chains → simulating global disruptions.
• AI-Powered Resilience Planning → predicting bottlenecks before they happen.
• Sustainability Metrics → tracking carbon footprint across aerospace supply chains.

Conclusion

The aerospace industry cannot afford fragile supply chains. Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud strengthens resilience by:

• Centralizing supplier agreements
• Providing real-time demand visibility
• Enabling transparent collaboration
• Automating compliance & traceability
• Using AI to predict risks

For aerospace OEMs facing strict regulations and high costs of disruption, Salesforce is the platform for supply chain strength and competitiveness.

✈️ Ready to strengthen your aerospace supply chain?

👉 [Book a Manufacturing Cloud Strategy Session with Perigeon]