ST. LOUIS, Nov. 23, 2004 -- A Boeing [NYSE: BA] subcontractor for the International Space Station (ISS) has received a 2004 Supplier of the Year award from the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).
Muñiz Engineering is an award-winning Boeing supplier and one of three recipients to receive this year's national award, given to minority suppliers who demonstrated growth in sales and employment and provided high-quality products and services while overcoming significant obstacles.
The company, nominated by Boeing, was selected from a list of 12 regional NMSDC Supplier of the Year winners who were chosen from among 15,000 eligible minority companies .
As the prime contractor to NASA for the ISS, Boeing is responsible for design, development, construction and integration of the ISS and assisting NASA in operating the orbital outpost. Muñiz provides expertise in structural mechanical design, thermal and environmental control integration, cargo integration and flight support for the ISS.
"Boeing's competitive advantage is in the diversity and innovative talent of our people," says Russ Carroll, director, Boeing NASA Systems Supplier Management and Procurement. "With the industry facing a shortage of aerospace engineers, it makes sense to tap into minority businesses as resources for global talent and for creating a pool of engineers who can contribute to the Vision for Space Exploration."
Hispanic-owned and based in Houston , Muñiz has successfully managed a variety of contract types. Company awards include the Houston Minority Development Council's 2002 Minority Subcontractor of the Year, 2002 SBA Administrator's Award for Excellence and National Aeronautics and Space Administration's 2001 Minority Subcontractor of the Year Award,
Boeing also recently expanded the number of minority- and women-owned small businesses providing engineering and technical support services to its programs in Houston . The subcontracts together are valued at $200 million over a five-year period.
Boeing NASA Systems, headquartered in Houston , is a component of the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems unit.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $27 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems ; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense and Department of Homeland Security; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.