Radius Aerospace and LeanDNA Take Major Step in Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2026

Radius Aerospace and LeanDNA: Leaders in Supply Chain Resilience

Radius Aerospace and LeanDNA have made headlines after being recognized as finalists for the esteemed 2026 Supply Chain Excellence Award in the USA. Their entry, titled "Radius Aerospace Achieves AI-Driven Resilience with APEX by LeanDNA," highlights their commitment to resilience in the supply chain amid the complexities of the aerospace industry.

The Challenge Facing Aerospace Manufacturers

Aerospace manufacturing is often riddled with challenges stemming from decentralized operations and the unpredictable nature of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) demand. This is what industry insiders refer to as the "visibility tax"—the difficulties that arise from managing multiple manufacturing sites and the disconnect that can exist between them. In response to these issues, Radius Aerospace adopted a groundbreaking strategy that leverages centralized visibility while allowing localized action.

Embracing AI with APEX by LeanDNA

To tackle these challenges, Radius Aerospace has integrated APEX, an AI-powered supply planning platform developed by LeanDNA. This technology serves as a central source of truth for operations, replacing outdated and fragmented systems such as spreadsheets and siloed Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions. By doing so, Radius has empowered local teams to make real-time decisions, enhancing adaptability and responsiveness across their manufacturing hubs in the U.S. and the U.K.

The results speak volumes. Over a period of just 12 months, Radius Aerospace achieved a remarkable 65% reduction in shortages, effectively eliminating what is known in the industry as the “chaos tax,” which includes the costs associated with expedited shipping and emergency labor. Additionally, the company improved its inventory turns by an impressive 51%, moving from 3.5 to 5.3, thus releasing working capital that had previously been tied up in excessive safety stock. This accomplishment demonstrates that a robust AI-driven strategy can indeed promote resilience without necessitating inflated buffer inventories.

A Shift in Industry Perspective

Darren Hill, Vice President of Commercial Operations at Radius Aerospace, remarked, "For aerospace manufacturers, resilience and efficiency have long been treated as a trade-off, and we've proven they don't have to be. Customer trust is everything in this industry, and the more agility you have, the more trust you earn. With APEX by LeanDNA, we have real-time visibility that focuses our teams on what matters most, gets us out of reactive mode, and lets us protect both the production line and the balance sheet.”

Hill credits the collective efforts of his teams across various sites for the recognition they have achieved as finalists for the award.

LeanDNA's Impact on Supply Chain Management

In parallel, LeanDNA's CEO, Andy Ellenthal, emphasized the transformative potential of AI-driven supply planning, stating, "Radius Aerospace is a powerful example of how AI-driven supply planning turns volatility into a competitive advantage. By pairing predictive intelligence with empowered, accountable local teams, Radius built a scalable blueprint for resilient aerospace manufacturing that delivers measurable results."

The recognition from the Supply Chain Excellence Awards is not a first for LeanDNA. The organization has enjoyed considerable acclaim in recent years, having been honored for its innovation and effectiveness, including a finalist position with MSA Safety in 2025 and receiving a "Highly Commended" distinction in collaboration with Modine Manufacturing Company in 2024.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Supply Chains

As the 2026 Supply Chain Excellence Awards approached, anticipation built among industry professionals, with winners slated to be announced during the awards ceremony on September 15, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. Through their innovative approaches, both Radius Aerospace and LeanDNA are setting new standards in supply chain management, pushing the envelope on what it means to be resilient and efficient in the modern aerospace sector. The future looks bright as they continue to turn challenges into opportunities, showcasing the immense potential of AI in shaping the next generation of manufacturing and logistics.

For more information on LeanDNA and their contributions to enhancing supply chain efficacy, visit LeanDNA.com.