Boeing

Boeing will award silver level Preferred Supplier Certification to StarMedia, a subsidiary of Star Mountain Inc., of Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 22. Silver is the second highest level in the Boeing Preferred Supplier Certification process -- a tool to identify and recognize high-performing suppliers strategically important to Boeing.

During a ceremony in Orlando, Les Baer, Boeing director of F/A-18 training systems management, will make a presentation to Gerry Berry, president, and Jay Dempsey, vice president and F/A-18 program manager, for StarMedia. The company has been a supplier to the Boeing F/A-18 program since July 1997.

"StarMedia has come a long way in a short amount of time," said Baer. "I hope that as they continue to improve their products, processes and affordability, that Boeing will have the pleasure of awarding the rarely given gold level of certification to StarMedia."

Boeing has established three levels of certification -- bronze, silver and gold -- with gold being the highest. To achieve preferred supplier status, suppliers are evaluated against specific performance standards in three categories: statistical process control, business processes and performance. Suppliers who meet or exceed the standards in these categories are identified and recognized as preferred suppliers. Preferred Supplier Certification can improve supplier competitiveness, increase bidder/source selection preference, enhance relationship with Boeing and reputation within industry, reduce potential for Boeing inspections, support supplier lean initiatives and provide access to Boeing resources and training.

StarMedia is a producer of computer based training, classroom materials and electronic classroom facilities for Boeing, the U.S. Department of Defense and several other major U.S. corporations and foreign governments. The company has produced 500 hours of computer aided instruction and interactive courseware for the F/A-18C/D Hornet and is currently under contract for developing a similar program for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

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