Supplier development is an essential element of UTC’s strategy for developing a world class integrated supply chain. We provide numerous resources for our suppliers to support continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing.

UTC’s operating system for quality and continuous improvement is called Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE). ACE integrates a philosophy, a suite of well established tools, and a commitment of total employee engagement to increase operating efficiency, reduce waste and improve customer satisfaction. ACE tools are available to UTC suppliers worldwide and provide a platform upon which they can implement a proven system of continuous improvement that matches UTC’s internal operations.

UTC Supplier Gold

UTC’s ability to achieve perfect quality, 100 percent on-time delivery, and best in class business results depends heavily on supplier performance. In fact, 75 percent of what UTC makes comes from suppliers, so it’s crucial that suppliers perform to the highest standards. That’s why UTC has a program that facilitates and accelerates supplier performance improvements while recognizing suppliers who have achieved exceptional performance. This Supplier Gold Program establishes four levels of supplier achievement- Gold (the highest standard), Performing, Progressing, and Under-performing. The goal is to enroll key and critical suppliers in this program and have all of those suppliers reach Performing or Gold by the end of 2011.

Suppliers who achieve Supplier Gold status receive considerable benefits and recognition. First and most important, they see substantial improvements in operating performance, which will enable growth. The Supply Management Council, which consists of the Vice President of Supply Management at each Business Unit, is made aware of them. UTC features their top suppliers in industry publications. Ultimately, it's UTC's strategy to grow our business with Gold suppliers.

Training

UTC suppliers are eligible for training and on-line Lean self-assessments. Supplier training includes UTC’s signature Ito Foundations course which provides a strong base for building a quality culture within your organization. Supplier Gold tools are also available to assist you in developing a quality culture within your organization. Finally, our on-line Lean self-assessment tool is a useful way to help you determine your current level of Lean implementation and provide opportunities for improvement. All training and tools are available in multiple languages.