• Australia's largest and most diversified aerospace design and manufacturing organisation.
• Manufacture parts to engineering specifications for major aircraft manufacturers.
• Mainly metal and advanced composite parts.
• Design, develop and improve components.
• Employs over 1100 people in plants in Sydney (Bankstown), Melbourne (Port Melbourne & Bayswater) and Los Angeles.
• Exports all product overseas – helping Australia's balance of trade.

A brief history

• de Havilland Aircraft started in 1927
• name changed to Hawker de Havilland in 1961 when bought by Hawker Siddeley
• HdH acquired Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (now HDH Victoria) and the Australian Aviation College during the 1980s

HAWKER - Harry Hawker was born in Victoria in 1889. In 1911 he sailed for England to join Tom Sopwith in designing and building aircraft. After becoming a pilot in 1912 he quickly developed into an outstanding test Pilot and achieved fame in 1919 when he attempted a non-stop flight between England and America. With the support of Sopwith he formed the Hawker Engineering Company, later to become the nucleus of the Hawker Siddeley Group. He died in 1921 whilst test flying a new racing aircraft. 


DE HAVILLAND - Sir Geoffrey de Havilland was born in 1882. He started the de Havilland enterprise in 1908 with his friend and co-designer Frank Hearle and made the first flight in a de Havilland aircraft on 10th September 1910. The aircraft achieved an altitude of thirty feet and a speed of thirty miles per hour. The de Havilland Aircraft Company which he formed in 1920 developed into a world-wide group. He was knighted in 1944 and died in 1965.


Some products we have made

• HDH has a proud tradition. Many of its products have become icons in the aviation industry.

• We have played a key role in providing Australian defence forces with effective aircraft.

Research & Development
The vision of our Research & Development department is to

• create and screen winning ideas
• capture value from ideas through disciplined project management
• provide leadership in the process
• create a cultural environment that fosters innovation 

We are currently researching and developing the following areas

• Composite structures design and manufacturing. We need to sustain a competitive edge in this key technology
• Manufacturing process control and optimisation. This helps us to minimise quality failure and operating costs, and maximise responsiveness to change
• Product design and development techniques. This allows us to minimise startup / change cost and time
• New product design and manufacture. Continuously updating and expanding our product range is essential to ensure our future success.

Most of our development work is done by in-house teams. 
However, a significant amount is out sourced or done in a collaborative arrangement with universities and other research organisations.

Working at Hawker de Havilland
HdH Bankstown – based on teams

Why teams?

• harness the experience, knowledge, skills and dedication of our people
• improved customer focus
• greater flexibility
• allow employees greater participation.

The underlying driver is to reduce costs and simplify our processes.

Self managed work teams

• a group of around 6 - 10 people working together · a team leader, not a boss
• everyone contributes
• the team measures and monitors its own performance

Quality is paramount

• near enough is never good enough

This is not an industry where you can get away with sloppy work.

• do it right the first time

Even if you don't make a product you still need to work this way Rework of any kind wastes time and resources.

• doing it right means meeting the customers' specifications

We do not aim for “perfection”, we make product so that the customer is happy with it. Be aware that sometimes customer's requirements change from project to project.

In many cases the customer you work for is someone else in HDH. You still need to meet their requirements. If you don't, somewhere along the line we will fail to meet our external customers requirements - and that means trouble.

• operators verify their own work

This is your personal guarantee that you have performed the work in the correct manner and produced a product that meets specifications. Inspectors carry out mandatory inspections at various stages and audit the process.

For new employees, your work will be checked by another competent operator or an inspector until you are accredited to carry out “operator verification”.

The way we manage
The skills and knowledge of all employees are our greatest asset

This is not just talk - we really believe it. We do not have better equipment than our competitors, and our wages are higher. Our competitive advantage is our people. In general, HdH's employees are more highly skilled and creative than our competitors.

• managers aim to help others work effectively

This is called a “facilitative” style rather than an “authoritarian” style. It is sometimes called "empowerment". What it means is that you won't have a boss looking over your shoulder at every moment telling you what to do. You will be expected to do pour work without much direct supervision.

• a consultative approach

We keep you informed of major changes and involve you in decision making We set up and disband various committees as they are needed. Some committees currently running are:

Occupational Health & Safety Committee
investigates and makes recommendations on health and safety issues

Training and Accreditation Committee
oversees training and development

Steering Committee
monitors our performance and the effect of changes to the way we work

Enterprise Bargaining Committee
looks at new ways of structuring our work, to benefit both the company and employees

Keeping you safe
Health, safety and welfare is of prime importance. It is a partnership between the company and the employee. At HDH we always comply with all government laws.

Evacuation

• if a blue light is flashing, prepare to evacuate the area
• if you hear a siren, evacuate and go to your roll call area
• do not run
• wait until your supervisor tells you to return

First Aid

• qualified first aider in each work location
  The First Aider cannot give out any medication, including headache tablets.
• see the Health Centre for needs beyond First Aid 
  Always tell your team leader before going to the health Centre.
  The Health Centre is open Mon - Fri 0630 - 1530
• after hours First Aid - contact the gatehouse

Personal Protective Equipment

• PPE must be used in areas as signposted
  If you are unsure about what equipment is needed, or how to use it, ask your team leader.
  Safety boots must be worn at all times on the site.
  Safety glasses must be worn where signposted.
  The company supplies overalls or other suitable work clothes. · 
• HDH will issue you with required equipment
• It is your responsibility to keep it safe and in operating condition

What you can expect from HdH
The HdH Way

HDH’s success is built on a rich heritage. From the beginning our company has been founded on the basic principles of commitment, innovative thinking and integrity.

As we celebrate our 70th year, it is useful to state the principles and values that guide our company. Some of these statements have been part of HDH’s philosophy from the beginning; others are a response to the changing world we work in.

The way we approach work

• Our prime focus is our customers. We aim to always deliver excellent products and services.
• Everybody aims to maximise company performance. Both shareholders and employees benefit from high performance.
• HDH is a partnership of teams from both inside and outside the company. Teams work together and people help each other.
• Everybody always works to the best of their ability. Individuals understand that what they do really matters and makes a difference.
• We don’t “pass the buck”. Individuals and teams take responsibility to solve problems, involving other people to help as required.
• Constantly learning is a normal part of work. It broadens the horizons of individuals and the company.

The way we treat people

• We treat each other with integrity. We are always honest in our dealings with each other and with customers and suppliers. We never deliberately mislead another person.
• We treat people with respect and courtesy. We try to understand the perspective of other people. When asked for information or given a suggestion we will respond promptly.
• We treat all people fairly. There is no favouritism.
• The intelligence, experience and skill of all employees is appreciated and respected. A diverse workforce helps us grow.
• We provide each other with the necessary information and knowledge to do our work.

The way we manage our business

• We use our combined knowledge wherever possible. We consider a variety of opinions when making plans for today, and for the future.
• We respond quickly to change, modifying our plans as necessary.
• Decisions are made by people with the appropriate knowledge and ability, rather than being passed up to “management”. Decision making is part of everybody’s job.
• We always work safely in everything we do. We also protect the environment and support the broader community.
• We encourage people to develop a number of skills and abilities to better serve HDH.

All employees, and particularly those in leadership roles, need to act in accordance with the above statements. These are the principles and values that guide us as we achieve our vision of 'Manufacturing 2000', and beyond.

R. C. Beckett
General Manager Sydney Manufacturing 
15th August 1997

What HdH expects from you

Commitment to excellence

• Use your skills and knowledge to benefit HDH
  Remember, our greatest asset are our people. You have now become one of those great assets. We expect you to add value to the company in everything you do.
• Work in accord with our methods.
  New ideas and short cuts are great, but they must be checked out first to make sure that they do not compromise the quality of our product. Work to the established method until new ideas have been proven.
• Quality of work must always be to the customers’ specification.
  We do not work to perfection, we produce what the customer wants. There is no value in spending extra time and resources making something better than what the customer can use.
• Professional approach to everything you do.
  This applies both to the job you are employed to do, and to your interactions with other people.

Commitment to teamwork

• work to make HDH successful
  We are serious about your success, we expect you to be serious about ours.
  A successful company improves your job security, and may provide the base for better pay and conditions. An unsuccessful company cannot provide these things.
• contribute your skills and experiences
  You may have picked up some good ideas m other places you have worked. We are keen to hear about these so that we can improve the way we do things.
• work with others 
• be flexible

The needs of our customers constantly changes, and we need to be able to respond to those changes. You will be most valuable to us if you ate prepared to be flexible in your approach to work, and willing to take on new challenges and opportunities when they arise.