Coppell, TX, March 05, 2014 — Keith Chatten, V.P. Engineering and Quality for Superior Air Parts, Inc., announced today that Wes Hurless has joined the company as its Quality Assurance Manager.
“Wes has an extensive background and invaluable experience in quality assurance practices for the aerospace and aviation industries,” Chatten said. “His skill sets include not only mechanical applications and practices, he has also been highly successful in directing the implementation of several quality systems programs for a variety of aviation specific applications."
“There are very few industries that put quality at a higher level than aviation. And no other aviation company that puts it at a higher priority than we do at Superior,” he stated. “From our internal procedures, to improving how well we audit our various suppliers’ quality practices are always looking for ways to raise our quality standards even higher. Wes’ wealth of experience with quality management systems and process auditing will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals."
“I believe in taking a proactive approach to the entire quality assurance process,” Hurless said. “Find and eliminate problems before they leave the building or better yet, identify them before they find their way into the manufacturing process.”
Along with his successes in quality assurance, Hurless also brings a strong background in process improvement, project management and team leadership to the Superior Air Parts team. “During the past several years I have driven many high performance, cross functional teams to successfully resolve deep-rooted systemic process issues that were eroding quality and productivity within the company’s value streams,” he stated.
Hurless said that one aspect of his new position that he is especially looking forward to is finding ways to take many of the continuous improvement integration practices that he has successfully implemented in large companies and tailoring them to Superior’s smaller, craftsperson-like product-development and manufacturing processes.
“It’s all about finding common sense solutions that will fit and be easily accepted into the company’s established culture,” he said. “It’s not change for the sake of change, but change for the sake of the continuous improvement of the entire process – from design, to manufacturing, to how it is delivered to the customer. Do all of that better and everyone wins.”
Another of Hurless’ skill sets that Chatten feels will be especially beneficial to Superior’s various programs is that he is an experienced machinist. “Wes knows sheet metal work, fabrication and machining and that will be invaluable as he oversees the QA efforts of our various suppliers,” Chatten said.
Prior to joining Superior Air Parts, Hurless was Senior Manufacturing Engineer/Continuous Improvement Integration lead for Jet Aviation, St. Louis. Before that he has held positions with Gulfstream Aerospace, Galaxy Aerospace and Duncan Aviation. Hurless served in the U.S. Army where he was a Crew Chief/Mechanic for the AH-1S Cobra Helicopter.
Hurless is a Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt and has held an FAA Repairman Certificate.
About Superior Air Parts, Inc.
Superior Air Parts, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Superior Aviation Beijing, is a leading manufacturer of FAA approved aftermarket replacement parts for Lycoming and Continental aircraft engines. In addition, the company manufactures the FAA certified Vantage Engine and the XP-Series Engine family for experimental and sport aircraft builders. For more information, visit: www.superiorairparts.com.
