Vought Receives Top National SBA Award

DALLAS, SEPT. 22, 2003 – Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for superior achievement in government contracting. The award was presented Sept. 19 during the SBA’s 50th anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C.

Vought received the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award of Excellence, recognizing large prime contractors that have excelled in their use of small business as suppliers and subcontractors. The award honors companies in four categories, including manufacturing, construction, research and development, and services and utilities.

According to the SBA, Vought received the top award in the manufacturing category for its commitment in providing contracting and subcontracting opportunities to small, women-owned businesses and small disadvantaged businesses.

“We are honored to receive this prestigious award,” said Dan Smartis, vice president of Materiel for Vought. “This is a tribute to the employees in our supplier diversity program, who are heavily involved from the beginning of the procurement process to make sure small businesses are given an opportunity to compete for contracts.

“Supporting small businesses is a sound business practice. These companies are the backbone of our economy. Allowing them to compete is synonymous with both fair business practice and economic prosperity,” Smartis said.

Vought’s supplier diversity program actively pursues qualified subcontractors through outreach programs, trade fairs, conferences and small business expos throughout the country.

Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. (www.voughtaircraft.com) is one of the world’s largest independent suppliers of aerostructures. Headquartered in Dallas, the company designs and manufactures major airframe structures, such as wings, fuselage subassemblies, empennages, nacelles and other components for prime manufacturers of aircraft. Vought has annual sales of approximately $1.2 billion and more than 6,000 employees in seven U.S. locations.

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