1. FN America, LLC. Proprietary Information
Summer 2015 Internship
Hank Estep
August 6, 2015

2. FN America, LLC. Proprietary Information
Purchasing at FNH USA
• The purchasing department works to procure parts,
materials, and packaging and find the best
suppliers and prices.
• The purchasing department tracks inventory and
shortages through the QAD system
• Receiving parts, materials, and packaging on time is
an integral part of the manufacturing of FN
weapons

3. FN America, LLC. Proprietary Information
SCAR Project
• Requested and received quotes for entire bill of
materials for the SCAR 16 and SCAR 17
• Began quote evaluation progress on SCAR 16 and
SCAR 17
• Answered supplier questions regarding prints,
materials, and processes
• Pulled prints and 3D files from Herstal PDS system
• Put non-disclosure agreements in place for SCAR
suppliers

4. FN America, LLC. Proprietary Information
MAG 58 Project
• Requested quotes for MAG 58 parts
• Pulled MAG 58 prints and gage prints from Herstal PDS
• Pulled MAG 58 3D files from Herstal PDS
• Put non-disclosure agreements in place for MAG 58
domestic suppliers

5. FN America, LLC. Proprietary Information
Packaging
• Put non-disclosure agreements in place for several
packaging suppliers
• Requested quotes for several packaging products,
including VCI wraps and SCAR and FN 15 packaging

6. FN America, LLC. Proprietary Information
Problem-Solving
• Supplier Issues
– I had to help suppliers understand prints when I had no
prior knowledge of the prints or the French translations
– I had to be resourceful by asking coworkers and finding
materials on PDS
– Met with suppliers face-to-face to alleviate issues
• Using QAD and PDS
– I had to learn to use each of these systems by using trial
and error and asking coworkers for help. By the end of
my internship I had a good understanding of how to use
both QAD and PDS.

7. FN America, LLC. Proprietary Information
Communication
• With suppliers
– Explaining prints and translations.
– We often had trouble seeing eye-to-eye so I had
to view things from their perspective.
• With co-workers
– Early on I had trouble fully grasping my role, so I
had to make my viewpoint clear and explain the
issues I had.

8. FN America, LLC. Proprietary Information
Decision Making
• Gathering information
– Example: which suppliers to contact, print
translations, material conversions,
understanding bills of material
• Weighing options
– Working with suppliers that were totally
ignorant of FN processes

9. FN America, LLC. Proprietary Information
Failures
• Miscommunication with suppliers
– Quoting incorrect parts
– Sending requests for quotes to incorrect
suppliers
– Not finding answers to supplier questions
• Not maximizing opportunity
– At some points I wasn’t as productive as I could
have been

10. FN America, LLC. Proprietary Information
Successes
• Gained understanding of QAD and PDS
• Quoted entire BOM for SCAR 16 and 17
• Pulled prints and gage files for MAG 58