Global Fastener News

September 28, 2010 FIN – As Boeing Co. ramps up production to meet growing demand, fasteners are factoring early in the aerospace giant’s “detailed planning.”

When Boeing unveiled plans to boost production of its bestselling, $69 million 737 single-aisle airplane, fasteners entered the discussion quickly.
“We’ve had issues in the past with fasteners — it’s amazing that can be something that can stop the delivery of an aircraft,” stated 737 program chief Beverly Wyse. “So we’ve made sure we understand where the constraints in the supply chain are and that we’re giving them earlier notification and visibility so they have capacity to bring this online.”
Boeing will make 38 of the jets a month as of the second quarter of 2013, up from a boost to 35 in 2012 to work down its growing 737 backlog of more than 2,000 orders.
The company plans to outfit itself and its suppliers with new tooling and will hire several hundred employees at its facility in Renton, WA.
Boeing is also reportedly watching raw-material availability as the economy improves and keeping an eye on suppliers to ensure they have the right facilities.
Fasteners have played a prominent role in the nearly three-year delay of Boeing’s new composite 787 Dreamliner, as supply disruptions and improper installation have plagued its test aircraft fleet. Web: boeing.com ©2010/2013 Fastener Industry News.
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