Strengthening the Domestic Supply Chain
Textron Systems Explores New Business Opportunities with Maryland Suppliers
The Client:
Textron Systems has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years. The company is a world leader in unmanned air, surface and land products, services and support founded on the combined expertise in our family of brands that includes Textron Systems, Howe & Howe, Lycoming, and ATAC. Textron Systems harnesses the unlimited power of teamwork to solve incredible problems across seven specialized domains: air, land, sea, propulsion, weapon systems, electronic systems and test, training & simulation. From product development and manufacturing to training, operations, and support, Textron offers ingenious and advanced solutions to support defense, aerospace, and other customer missions.
The Challenge:
Supply chain disruptions initially caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and more recent economic challenges have caused many OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and government agencies to reevaluate their supply chain practices to create greater visibility, efficiency, and resiliency within their organizations.
In response to the ongoing disruptions, Textron Systems was looking for opportunities to diversify its supplier base and mitigate risks by connecting with local Maryland-based manufacturers. By localizing its supplier base, Textron Systems hoped to decrease lead times and establish stronger relationships with suppliers to create a more resilient supply chain capable of withstanding future challenges.
The Solution:
To help identify qualified local suppliers, Textron Systems participated in Maryland MEP’s Maryland Supplier Connectivity Forum. This forum enabled Textron Systems and other local Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to connect with Maryland suppliers capable of fulfilling their supply chain needs with the goal of strengthening the domestic supply chain and creating new business opportunities for Maryland manufacturers.
The event included an information session where representatives from Textron Systems presented to Maryland-based suppliers about the current needs of the organization and the requirements to become a supplier. Following the information session, suppliers submitted applications for one-on-one meetings with Buyers. These sessions gave Textron Systems the opportunity to dive deeper into capabilities, qualifications, possible synergies, and steps to move forward in establishing supplier relationships with local Maryland manufacturers.
Textron was able to identify 8 new potential suppliers during the matchmaking sessions and has started engagements and quoting activity with companies who have completed the onboarding process.

Results & Impacts:
- $50,000 in Cost Savings
- 15 Jobs Created
- 8 Potential Suppliers Identified
PTI are pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Maryland MEP and to be approved for the funding. The service was very straightforward and professional. All the conference calls about the project were clear and understood. Maryland MEP’s help certainly helped PTI achieve our goal of receiving our AS9100D certificate. The benefits of having the AS9100D certificate resulted in the immediate quote opportunity for a new customer who required the certificate when we applied for the program.
Dilip Dalvi, President