Augusta, KS—GlobalParts Aero Manufacturing (GPAM) has named Jim Mercer, a veteran aerospace manufacturing executive with extensive experience in the use of multi-axis machining centers, to the position of Director of Operations. He reports to GlobalParts.aero’s Chief Operating Officer, Malissa Nesmith.
“We are extremely fortunate to have someone with Jim’s expertise and background join the GPAM team,” Ms. Nesmith said. “He has held senior operations and production management positions at leading airframe and component manufacturers and is extremely well-equipped to help us maximize the efficiency and productivity of our five-axis machining centers, especially as we transition into working with harder metals, including steel and titanium, as well as aluminum.”
Mercer came to GPAM from Spirit AeroSystems, where he served as Senior Director of Global Quality. In 2012, he was involved in developing transition strategies as a business unit leader for Hawker Beechcraft prior to its emergence as Beechcraft Corporation. Before that he spent 14 years at Cessna Aircraft Company in a variety of capacities including being general manager of the Textron facility in Mexico, Quality Manager at Independence, Vice President of Textron Six Sigma, and Director of Components Manufacturing. He also held positions as an industrial engineer, production superintendent, product manager and director of assembly support.
Mercer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Wichita’s Newman University as well as a Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Webster University in St. Louis.
With more than 25 years of experience in integrated supply chain and operational management, he recognizes opportunities for expanding and optimizing GPAM’s fabrication capabilities to meet increasing demands. “We have tremendous capacity and the latest state of the art equipment that will allow us to produce complex, high-tolerance parts in a wide range of sizes--and for a very diverse group of customers. What’s great about being part of a privately held company like GPAM is that communication is quick and efficient and, if we have a good idea, the company is agile and able to react without delay.
“The manufacturing arm of GlobalParts.aero is built on an aircraft parts distribution foundation and that means we know how to provide excellent aftermarket support, too. We plan to continue to integrate additional capabilities, such as powder coating and sheet metal work, and position ourselves to not only be a supplemental source of quality parts for OEMs but become a competitive primary source, as well,” Mercer concluded.
ABOUT GLOBALPARTS.aero
GlobalParts.aero was founded in 2003 to serve the worldwide aviation spares market with cost effective, quality parts.
GlobalParts.aero is a certified distributor of aviation spares and has earned ISO AS9120A and ASA-100 accreditation for quality management systems. Through parts distribution, GlobalParts.aero has evolved and added a Federal Aviation Administration certified repair station and an in-house, build-to-print part manufacturing capabilities to its operations. The overhaul/ repair service, Global Parts Aero Services, Inc. is FAA Part 145 certified and the manufacturing service, Global Parts Aero Manufacturing, Inc. is ISO AS9100C accredited.
