Posted on Thu, Dec. 10, 2009

Boeing Co. plans to find alternative sources to duplicate production on all of the 787 parts the company builds in the Seattle area, the company said.

The action is to make sure Boeing is a "reliable supplier" of the 787 to customers, said Boeing spokesman Jim Proulx.

Securing duplicate sources for Boeing parts will ensure that Boeing's new 787 assembly line in North Charleston, S.C., can continue to operate should there be a Machinists strike in the Pacific Northwest, Proulx said.

"We'll have reliable suppliers supplying that line, so that no action here in the Puget Sound area could shut the line down in Charleston," Proulx said.

The second supplier might be one of Boeing's other facilities or it might be outside vendors, he said.

For example, a Boeing shop in Frederickson, Wash., builds the 787's vertical fin, including composite and metal subcomponents. Boeing will find a second supplier to build the vertical fin as well.

Other work to be duplicated includes torque tubes, side-of-body chords, engine mounts, heat shields and tailcone mufflers.

It also will include the build-up of interior items, such as the sidewalls, seats and galleys that come from vendors but must be built up to be installed in the aircraft.

And it will include parts and assemblies that will support the aircraft when it's in service.

Reach Molly McMillin at 316-269-6708 or mmcmillin@wichitaeagle.com.