Effective tool management is a key success factor in the supply chain aerospace sector, directly impacting production continuity and cost efficiency. At multiple Airbus locations, ARTS Group ensures that more than 20,000 tools and consumables are traceable, functional, and immediately available—supporting uninterrupted aircraft assembly and removing inefficiencies through structured logistics and digital tracking.
The aerospace industry faces increasing pressure to meet production targets despite global supply disruptions, labour shortages, and strict regulatory frameworks. In this context, tool availability is not just a logistics task—it’s a critical link in the supply chain. A small delay in tool delivery can escalate into missed production milestones, especially in large-scale assembly lines like those at Airbus. ARTS Group addresses this challenge with a structured, data-driven approach to tool lifecycle management that supports stable, efficient operations across all production phases.
This article outlines how ARTS Group’s tool management services play a critical role in the aerospace supply chain, helping Airbus maintain production efficiency while reducing indirect costs.
Integrated Tool Management in Aerospace Production
ARTS Group operates OSW tool shops directly on Airbus premises in Toulouse and Saint-Nazaire. Our local experts supply structural mechanics, electricians, and quality teams with the equipment they need—on time, without unnecessary complexity.
Our services go beyond tool distribution. We manage the full lifecycle, including safety inspections, calibration tracking, repair coordination, and procurement of replacements. In Toulouse, our team members work in shifts to provide 24/7 support.
Across these sites, ARTS Group ensures that over 7,000 tool movements are handled each month, maintaining high availability and minimising delays.
Cross-Site Coordination Ensures Supply Chain Continuity
ARTS’ teams collaborate closely with Airbus’ Outstanding Work (OSW) departments across Europe. While Hamburg handles the front and rear fuselage sections of the A350, Toulouse is responsible for final assembly. The integration between these sites ensures consistent tool readiness across the entire aircraft manufacturing process. With consistent procedures across locations, we ensure standardization and traceability—critical factors in a complex aerospace supply chain.
Our multilingual teams (German, English, French, Spanish) facilitate seamless collaboration with Airbus production staff and logistics personnel on-site.
Digital Tracking Enhances Control in the Supply Chain Aerospace Environment
In a high-volume, high-precision production setting like aerospace, manual tracking of tools is a liability. ARTS Group addresses this with a fully digitized inventory system integrated into Airbus’ SAP environment.
Each item is tagged with a unique barcode. This enables real-time tracking, assignment to specific work orders, and early detection of calibration deadlines or technical issues. This level of transparency is essential in the supply chain aerospace context, where production planning depends on exact material readiness.
The tracking system supports:
- Real-time tool availability checks
- Forecasting of usage and demand
- Automated calibration and maintenance compliance
- Reliable reporting for procurement and audit trails
This digital infrastructure not only reduces search times and manual errors but also provides Airbus with a stable foundation for long-term inventory and process optimization.
All operations are compliant with EN 9100:2018, ISO 9001:2015, and ISO 14001 standards, ensuring full traceability and auditability across the tool management process.
Process Optimization Drives Cost Reduction
Before launching tool shop operations, ARTS Group conducted a full audit of Airbus' existing workflows. Every tool and consumable was documented, classified, and evaluated. Redundant tools were eliminated, calibration cycles were optimized, and storage processes were redesigned for faster retrieval.
This overhaul had a direct impact on indirect cost reduction by:
- Minimising time spent searching for tools
- Avoiding duplicate procurement
- Improving compliance rates
- Enabling more accurate demand forecasting
These improvements continue to contribute to a leaner, more cost-effective supply chain across Airbus sites.
Tool Management as Part of a Broader SCM Strategy
Tool logistics is just one component of ARTS Group’s wider supply chain management framework. Our teams integrate tool management with warehouse operations, inventory optimisation, and handling services. We apply lean principles to reduce movement waste, align tool readiness with production demands, and improve material flow.
ARTS Group manages over 60,000 line items across six warehouses and six annexes on Airbus Final Assembly Lines (FAL) for programs including the A320, A321, A330, and A350. This includes protection parts, ground test equipment (GTE), and specialized tools. These operations are run by 30 trained warehouse staff with appropriate certifications and licenses.
Supporting Resilience Through Local and International Sourcing
When specialized or replacement tools are needed urgently, ARTS Group leverages its wider network to source from Airbus branches across France and Germany. This flexibility prevents production disruptions and ensures compliance with tool expiry and calibration timelines.
We also manage Ground Support Equipment (GSE) logistics across four dedicated platforms, handling more than 2,000 GSE units. A team of nine manages all handling flows, ensuring equipment readiness for operational use.
Our local presence at multiple Airbus locations enables quick response times and on-site decision-making, strengthening supply chain resilience.
This contribution is reinforced by our broader Industrial Support and Technical Aviation Consulting services, which include process audits and logistics strategy development.
Results: Tangible Gains for Aerospace Manufacturing
ARTS Group’s structured approach to tool and supply chain management has led to measurable results:
- Reduced tool-related downtime
- Improved production continuity
- Lower tool shrinkage and loss rates
- Greater transparency in procurement and inventory control
These efficiencies contribute directly to our clients’ ability to meet aircraft delivery targets while reducing indirect costs.
Conclusion: A Reliable Supply Chain for Aerospace Manufacturing Starts With the Details
Tool management may seem operational, but in aerospace, it’s a strategic function. ARTS Group delivers structure, traceability, and efficiency across Airbus sites—ensuring teams have what they need, when they need it.
ARTS Group offers scalable, high-quality logistics and production support. Whether it’s managing 20,000+ parts in FAL warehouses or handling 7,000+ tool movements per month, our teams are embedded in our clients' production environments—driving value from the inside out.
If you're ready to optimize your tool management and improve your supply chain aerospace performance, contact ARTS Group for a tailored audit and consultation.