Much has been said about the defence industry. Today, we speak to a long-standing client and GKN Aerospace Senior Procurement Manager, Roel van Es. ‘I have been involved in sourcing suppliers for MQ-9 drones, Chinook and Apache helicopters, all the way to the F-35 fighter.’
Roel explains his role in the process: ‘I am responsible for sourcing suppliers to prepare the contract. At GKN Aerospace, we have our own production facility, but for various reasons, we also outsource a range of parts. It depends on the type of programme, whether it’s civil or military, the level of confidentiality, and the stakeholders involved.
My work package includes metal machine parts, sheet metal work, outsourced assembly, and surface treatment for products such as the landing gear doors shown in the photo, which are partly produced and assembled by Hittech Landes. We need suppliers with whom we are permitted to share information. Suppliers that meet our criteria—such as a proven track record, the country of origin of the owners, and the level of confidentiality and data security—are considered in the process.
What has been your experience working with the Hittech Landes team?
Roel van Es: ‘I’ve been with Fokker for 15 years, and Hittech Landes has been with me from day one, providing top-quality service. We prefer not to outsource individual projects; we aim for long-term partnerships built on trust, quality, and fair pricing. You must realise that changing suppliers is costly; we favour stability. Quality matters, and proximity is an advantage as well. When working with Hittech Landes, all that is secured.’
Photo credits: F-35A Lightning II at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
