SEATTLE, Oct. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the airline
industry continues to address the impact of COVID-19, The Boeing
Company [NYSE: BA] said today it will consolidate production of 787
jets at its facility in North Charleston,
S.C., starting in mid-2021, according to the company's best
estimate. The decision comes as the company is strategically taking
action to preserve liquidity and reposition certain lines of
business in the current global environment to enhance efficiency
and improve performance for the long-term.
While Boeing's versatile 787 family has outperformed other
widebody airplanes during the challenging market downturn, its
production system has been adjusted to accommodate the current
difficult market environment while positioning the 787 family to
ramp up production as air travel increases.
"The Boeing 787 is the tremendous success it is today thanks to
our great teammates in Everett.
They helped give birth to an airplane that changed how airlines and
passengers want to fly. As our customers manage through the
unprecedented global pandemic, to ensure the long-term success of
the 787 program, we are consolidating 787 production in
South Carolina," said Stan Deal, president and chief executive officer
of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
"Our team in Puget Sound will continue to focus on efficiently
building our 737, 747, 767 and 777 airplane families, and both
sites will drive Boeing initiatives to further enhance safety,
quality, and operational excellence."
The company began assembling 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes at its
Everett site in 2007, and brought
the North Charleston facility on
line as a second final assembly line in 2010. However, only the
North Charleston site is set up to
build the larger 787-10 model. Production of the smaller 787 models
will continue in Everett until the
program transitions to the previously-announced production rate of
six airplanes a month in 2021.
In July, Boeing announced an in-depth study into the feasibility
of producing 787s at a single location. The review examined the
impacts and benefits to Boeing customers, suppliers, employees and
the overall health of the production system. The 787 study is part
of an enterprise review underway to reassess all aspects of
Boeing's facility footprint, organizational structure, portfolio
and investment mix, and supply chain health and
stability.
This analysis confirmed the feasibility and efficiency gains
created by consolidation, which enables the company to accelerate
improvements and target investments to better support
customers.
"We recognize that production decisions can impact our
teammates, industry and our community partners," said Deal. "We
extensively evaluated every aspect of the program and engaged with
our stakeholders on how we can best partner moving forward. These
efforts will further refine 787 production and enhance the
airplane's value proposition."
Boeing said it is assessing potential impacts to employment in
Everett and North Charleston and will communicate any
changes directly to its employees.
About Boeing
Boeing is the world's largest aerospace
company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense,
space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S.
exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers
in more than 150 countries and leverages the talents of a global
supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing
continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its
customers and invest in its people and future growth.
Contacts
Boeing Communications
Jessica Kowal
Jessica.M.Kowal@boeing.com
Bernard Choi
Bernard.Choi@boeing.com
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SOURCE Boeing