Boeing confirms 777X wing will be built in Everett
Feb 18, 2014, 8:00 AM | Updated: 11:35 am
Boeing has confirmed it will build the new 777X wing near the final assembly plant in Everett. (AP)
(AP)
Boeing has confirmed Everett as the location for its new composite wing center for the 777X program.
“Locating the new composite wing center in Everett is a win for all of our teammates and partners,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President & CEO Ray Conner. “This will put our workforce on the cutting edge of composite technology and allow us to build on the infrastructure and logistics system we have in Everett. This decision will strengthen the company’s competitiveness and help it grow for the long term.”
Boeing selected Everett as the site for final assembly of the 777X following a Jan. 3 vote by Boeing Machinists to accept an eight-year contract extension. As part of the contract extension, Boeing said it would fabricate the parts for, and assemble the composite wings in the Puget Sound region. After looking at their options, Boeing found the Everett site best met its needs.
“This marks the first step in a bricks and mortar commitment by Boeing to build a facility that will be home to the jobs and technology of tomorrow – not in a foreign country or a distant state, but right here in the Pacific Northwest,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger.
Boeing says the new wing facility will be approximately 1 million square feet and construction is scheduled to begin later this year.
“Thanks to this tremendous investment by Boeing, we know that thousands of talented Washington workers will soon be fabricating the most technologically advanced carbon fiber structure ever developed and the world’s next great commercial airplane, the 777X,” said Washington Governor Jay Inslee.
Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson said Tuesday’s announcement represents a wealth of opportunity – “not just for Boeing and its workers – but for our entire community.”
“With this opportunity comes the challenge to advance the education and transportation investments that are vital to Boeing’s future success. We are already working to expand higher education opportunities in Everett to prepare the highly skilled workforce that will help build the 777X. I will also continue to push for a more reliable transportation infrastructure for Boeing and the region’s vast aerospace supply network.”
