PLATTSBURGH, NY--Norsk Titanium, a supplier of aerospace-grade, additive manufactured, structural titanium components, opened its Plattsburgh Development and Qualification Center here last week. The facility houses nine rapid plasma deposition titanium printers that will make aerospace components for Boeing and other aerospace producers.
EVERETT, WA——More than 1,800 union members will soon leave Boeing under a buyout plan offered last month, the first step in a continuing company job-cutting effort that’s expected to include layoffs later this year. The machinists union said 1,500 of its members applied for a buyout and were approved to leave the company. The engineering union said 305 of its members were approved and are expected to leave the company in April.
EVERETT, WA—Boeing’s new $1 billion factory here features state-of-the-art automation that will be used to build wings for the next-generation 777X jetliner.
When Boeing was founded 100 years ago, engineers were concerned about how to use wiring to brace wings. As aircraft became more complex, engineers turned their attention to solving numerous wire harness assembly challenges. Many of their innovative solutions have been chronicled in the pages of ASSEMBLY magazine.
During the past 10 decades, Boeing and its heritage companies, such as Douglas Aircraft Co., McDonnell Aircraft Corp. and North American Aviation Inc., have designed and built a wide variety of aircraft. Boeing has evolved from seaplanes to space planes.
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC—Boeing plans to double its 787 Dreamliner assembly plant here. The enlarged factory will accommodate a second, parallel production line.
CHICAGO—Boeing is actively encouraging its suppliers to outsource work to Mexico. Patrick McKenna, director of supply chain strategy and supplier management at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, has urged suppliers to attend a Nov. 15 workshop in Chicago to learn how to do business in Mexico.
NEW YORK—Four of the nation’s largest manufacturers—General Electric Co., Alcoa Inc., Boeing Co. and Lockheed-Martin Corp.—have launched an initiative to teach manufacturing skills to 15,000 veterans, who would then be hired by the four companies or matched to other jobs.
GRESHAM, OR—Boeing has opened its newly expanded plating and coating facilty here. The aerospace giant invested more than $100 million to expand the facility and has added 350 workers.