GKN Aerospace has announced details of a worldwide reorganization in order to create a simpler, more competitive, customer-focused business. The business has grown rapidly by acquisition over recent years, increasing in scale from a £600m (US$726m) turnover in 2006 to more than £3.5bn US$4.2bn) at the end of 2018. Today, it is structured with four independent divisions, each focused around products and internal capabilities.
In the new structure, GKN Aerospace will fully integrate as one business, with customer-facing teams and a single, connected network of global sites, all supported by shared services. The new structure will enable the business to better serve its customers, improve operational performance, collaborate internally and maximize its potential for future growth. Hans Büthker, Chief Executive Officer GKN Aerospace, said: “We are creating a single, fully integrated business aligned to our customers’ needs, which will ensure we are better positioned within the competitive global aerospace market.
The reorganization will take place within the next two years and, following the move to simplify the business, GKN Aerospace’s global headcount is expected to reduce by around 1,000 roles. These will be non-production roles, as it reduces layers of management and support functions, and increases its focus on operations. GKN Aerospace will aim to manage as much of this reduction as possible through natural means, such as the usual turnover of people, vacancy management and redeployment of employees. GKN Aerospace has 50 manufacturing sites across 15 countries and today employs around 18,000 people.
