Recent News:

Heath Tecna Celebrates One Year Anniversary of Lean Implementation

When Richard L. Ballantyne became the CEO and President of Heath Tecna in June of 2009, he walked in the door a strong believer in lean manufacturing. Struggling in a poor economy, Heath Tecna needed to make changes and the new CEO saw an opportunity to transform the company using lean techniques. On day one, he immediately set out to lead a team who could implement lean and guide improvements accordingly. Within a week, the group had established a 5S program and Richard began weekly walks of the Gemba. In the months to follow, Heath Tecna kicked off the standardization of their engineering processes, reorganized according to Value Streams, and began having Kaizen events. Throughout the winter, Heath Tecna engaged Shingijutsu Global Consulting to provide Kaizen workshops and refine the company’s lean practices.

As a result of implementing lean over the last twelve months, recurring customers say that they are seeing significant improvements and are reporting higher satisfaction with their program deliveries. In addition, costs associated with rework and scrap material are dropping, indicating a rise in quality and value. To learn more about how lean is affecting Heath Tecna, you can read a recent article posted in the Bellingham Herald about the company's turnaround. A podcast on The American Innovator, available via KGMI-AM, also features a conversation about lean methodologies between Mr. Ballantyne and Mr. Lussier, which you can listen to here.

Heath Tecna Awarded China Airlines 747 NuLook® Program

China Airlines has selected Heath Tecna to retrofit nine of their 747-400 airplanes with the Heath Tecna NuLook interior. The program work scope consists of upgrading Zones A-B with a contemporary style interior architecture and obtaining an STC for the NuLook installation. New components include larger pivot bins, outboard bin doors with bullnose panel assemblies, end caps, gap covers, light valances/shields, gull wing ceiling panels and transition panels. For more details about the program award, contact Gary Chris or read more about it  in an online article written by Dave Gallagher at the Bellingham Herald.

Heath Tecna Supplies & Certifies British Airways’ First Sidewalls

British Airways recently launched their luxurious First cabin to much fanfare. Heath Tecna is supporting the ongoing retrofit program by supplying and certifying the first class sidewalls according to FAA and EASA requirements. Each double window sidewall panel features personal electronic blinds, accent washlights, and a transparent fascia panel with a decorative frame treatment. Heath Tecna is responsible for providing British Airways with 35 shipsets of the unique sidewall assemblies for their 747-400s and 38 shipsets for their 777-200/-300ER airplanes. To learn more, contact Gary Chris, or read more about the British Airways' First cabin upgrade program in the May 2010 issue of Aircraft Interiors International magazine.

Heath Tecna Awarded Qantas 747 Integration and Cabin Furnishings Program 

We are pleased to announce that we have been selected by Qantas Airways to upgrade and reconfigure nine Boeing 747-400 cabin interiors as part of the airline’s plans to meet the changing requirements of international customers. The arrangement calls for Heath Tecna to provide our integration expertise to oversee the program, produce reconfiguration kits, manage the delivery and installation of buyer furnished equipment from suppliers and to obtain a supplemental type certificate (STC) from the FAA for all aircraft modifications. In addition, Heath Tecna will engineer, manufacture and install new cabin furnishings. The program kick off has already occurred with the embodiment scheduled to start Q3 2011. To learn more about the program, read the press release.

Heath Tecna Awarded MRJ Payload Interior
and System Integration

Heath Tecna, Inc. is pleased to announce that we have signed a contract with Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation to jointly develop, as well as supply, interiors and furnishings for the MRJ (Mitsubishi Regional Jet). Acting as the tier-one supplier for the exciting new jet, we will engineer and manufacture the OEM’s signature style cabin interior, as well as the flight deck and cargo compartment linings.

As integrator of the payload systems, Heath Tecna is responsible for the full management and integration of tier-two supplier partners providing modular flexible galley systems, water/waste and vacuum systems, crew seating, emergency equipment including escape slides, passenger service units and insulation for the entire aircraft. To learn more about the program, read the press release.

            747-400 Main Deck Bar Unit