Small & Medium Sized Enterprises and Innovation
Innovation and technical excellence are the cornerstones of MBDA’s global supply chain. We firmly believe that building a collaborative Research & Development community with Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) will deliver new, innovative solutions across our Defence and national security markets.
At MBDA, fostering innovation, identifying new opportunities, products and capabilities and harnessing potential disruptive technology with current and future suppliers is a major part of our role as a progressive prime contractor.
We actively look to engage with new technology and innovation from third parties (shareholders, major suppliers, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and academia through the MBDA Innovation network).
MBDA Open Innovation Platform – Building Innovative Partnerships
Our Open Innovation Platform will be the corporate gateway for building innovative partnerships (e.g. with universities, SME’s, start-ups).
MBDA will also launch external challenges in specific areas to meet our needs and the needs of our customers.
We look forward to our working with our supply chain and external suppliers.
Our Innovative Partnerships with Small & Medium Enterprises
Pacte PME
MBDA participates in the French “Pacte PME” initiative, as one of the 50+ large companies involved.
This association aims at taking actions in order to reinforce relationships between large companies and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), taking into account the constraints on both sides.
It also fosters the involvement of SMEs in our Programmes activities, including export, simplification of our processes, including interfaces & contractual conditions, organization of events for information, exchange and collaboration purposes.
The Complex Weapons Innovation Technology Partnership (CW ITP)
One example of how open innovation shapes future weapon systems is this research fund. Open to all Anglo-French companies and academic institutions, the Complex Weapons Innovation technology Partnership (CW ITP) is managed by MBDA and is sponsored by the two countries’ Defence authorities.
The fund provides annual support to proposals from industry, SMEs and academia with the aim of developing novel, exploitable technologies for generation-after-next weapon systems.
Our ESG engagement in Supply Chain
MBDA is resolutely committed to contributing to a safer and more sustainable world. To obtain sustainability in all MBDA countries, Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria are essential. As we engage on our ambitious journey, we want to establish a sustainable supply chain, securing commitment from and strong ties with our suppliers.
Supply Chain Requirements towards our Suppliers
To remain a missiles & missile systems world-class leader, we rely on our supply chain to meet the quality requirements of our industry. Thus, our suppliers, together with our MBDA Procurement and Supply Chain teams, are key stakeholders to join forces against the threats of our ever changing environment, such as the cyber risks, but also to ensure compliance with the regulatory framework, such as the export control regulations.
Our Processes and Tools, allies for our performance
At MBDA, we work with qualified suppliers to design, manufacture and deliver our missiles and missile systems. Thanks to the continuous optimisation and improvement of our processes and digital solutions, we efficiently manage the performance and the control of risks in our Supply Chain.
