Boeing to Close Its Wichita Defense Facility - Kansas Suppliers to Remain Viable
01/04/2012
The company noted it was moving future aircraft maintenance, modification, and support to its plant in San Antonio, Texas, and engineering work to Oklahoma City. Work on the Air Force refueling tanker will be performed in Puget Sound, Washington. The 24 Kansas suppliers on that program will continue to provide parts as originally planned.
"In this time of defense budget reductions, as well as shifting customer priorities, Boeing has decided to close its operations in Wichita to reduce costs, increase efficiencies, and drive competitiveness," said Mark Bass, vice president and general manager for the Boeing Defense, Space & Security facility in Wichita. "The decision to close our Wichita facility was difficult but ultimately was based on a thorough study of the current and future market environment."
Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer said the city, which prides itself as being the air capital of the world, has a long history with Boeing in the community. Boeing has had a facility in Wichita since it bought the Stearman Aircraft Co. in 1929. During World War II, employment at the plant peaked at more than 40,000 as the company produced four bombers a day. For decades the company remained the city's largest employer.
Bass did note, "The company spent more than $3.2 billion with approximately 475 Kansas suppliers in 2011, spanning its commercial and defense businesses, making it the fourth-largest state in Boeing's supplier network." He further said, "Based on Boeing Commercial Airplanes growth projections for the next few years, Boeing anticipates even more growth for suppliers in Kansas. Boeing values its long-term partnership with Kansas, and we will continue to work with all of our stakeholders in Kansas in support of a robust aerospace industry in the state."
Project Announcements
Republic Airways Holdings Plans Tuskegee, Alabama, Training Operations
04/18/2024
South Africa-Based Radel Plans Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Operations
04/18/2024
Firestone Industrial Products Expands Dyersburg, Tennessee, Operations
04/18/2024
Samsung Electronics Expands Taylor, Texas, Chip-Manufacturing Operations
04/18/2024
OMCO Solar Plans Huntsville, Alabama, Production Operations
04/18/2024
Martco-RoyOMartin Upgrades Allen Parish, Louisiana, Operations
04/18/2024
Most Read
-
2023's Leading Metro Locations: Hotspots of Economic Growth
Q4 2023
-
2023 Top States for Doing Business Meet the Needs of Site Selectors
Q3 2023
-
38th Annual Corporate Survey: Are Unrealized Predictions of an Economic Slump Leading Small to Mid-Size Companies to Put Off Expansion Plans?
Q1 2024
-
Manufacturing Momentum Is Building
Q1 2024
-
Making Hybrid More Human in 2024
Q1 2024
-
20th Annual Consultants Survey: Clients Prioritize Access to Skilled Labor, Responsive State & Local Government
Q1 2024
-
Public-Private Partnerships Incentivize Industrial Development
Q1 2024