Case Study, Goodrich Corporation

• Member of the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce
• Member of Ayrshire Business in the Community

The Goodrich Corporation of today is dramatically different from the company created in 1870 by Benjamin Franklin Goodrich. Goodrich has grown from a collection of small component aerospace businesses to a leading global supplier of advanced systems, products and services with nose-to-tail solutions for virtually every aircraft flying today. Goodrich Corporation started operations at Prestwick Airport in 1996 with 12 employees. Initially, the premises were leased from BAE Systems, until, in 2004, a state-of-the-art maintenance base was built on the Prestwick International Aerospace Park. A team of 160 highly experienced staff are now based at Prestwick. The Prestwick site provides maintenance services to customers from around the world.

The Company does not have a specific donations policy, but a sponsorship procedure is in place, which is set up by corporate headquarters. Any donations or sponsors are approved a year in advance and the arrangement is reviewed annually. Over the last three years, the company have sponsored/donated to Ayrshire Hospice and Malcolm Sargent House. The company sponsor the annual Burns supper for the Ayrshire Hospice and handle all the necessary administration. Goodrich understands the benefits of building relationships with the local community, and when possible, try to recruit local people, and advertise in the local job centre and newspapers. Goodrich also works closely with schools in order to promote Goodrich as a reputable company. The Company frequently allows the use of facilities or allows staff time off to become involved in community activities. Staff community activities have included; two employees raised £1,000 by cycling to John O’ Groats for the Headway charity; several staff members are trained counsellors and undertake voluntary work within their community etc. Goodrich is committed to ensuring, as far as is reasonably practicable, the highest standard of Environmental, Health & Safety performance. The company is committed to reducing pollution and improving safety. Environmental Systems have been implemented in accordance with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.  This involves such things as recycling and minimising waste, use of green materials, reduction of air emissions wherever possible. All employees using hazardous materials are fully trained and briefed in methods of waste segregation. Although OSHAS 18001 is not an industry standard at the moment, Goodrich is working towards it with the intent of becoming certificated when it comes into force.

Goodrich aim to be honest and fair in their relationships with their customers. Any complaints received are investigated thoroughly until the matter is resolved. There are dedicated account managers for each customer, providing them with a single point of contact to resolve problems. Goodrich also holds ‘voice of the customer’ events on site. This involves inviting the customer in for a weeklong event in order to ascertain what the customer wants and the best way for Goodrich to meet that expectation.

Goodrich was recently reaccredited with IIP under the new profile assessment, obtaining high scores in all areas. Goodrich operates and sustains a culture of Positive Employee Philosophy. This philosophy involves managing the workplace using positive assumptions about people. Every employee is given an employee handbook and all employees including temporary workers and contractors receive a contract. All employees undergo an extensive induction procedure.

NB: All case studies are based on the Organisation’s Bronze Award submission.