Ross Wilkers
Boeing will mentor metallic structure maker AMRO Fabricating Corp. under a three-year agreement as part of a mentor-protege program run by NASA.
AMRO produces aluminum alloy panels for Boeing’s Space Launch System and will help with marketing and business development, management development and supply chain management work for the SLS, Boeing said Friday.
AMRO is a small, minority, woman-owned company based in El Monte, Calif. that builds structures for missiles, launch vehicles and spacecraft.
“Space exploration requires a strong, experienced team, so investing in the next generation of suppliers is not only smart, it’s absolutely necessary,” said Virginia Barnes, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s SLS.
“In the 36 years of AMRO’s history, this Mentor-Protege Program is certainly one of the most valuable partnership opportunities we’ve engaged in, and we’re excited to be part of it,” said Aquilina Hutton, AMRO’s owner.
NASA matches large and small businesses under its mentor-protege program to help smaller firms compete for complex prime and subcontract awards.
Boeing awarded nearly $5 billion in subcontracts to small minority- and woman-owned businesses during 2013.
